the Crows Nest

This creeping vine has nothing to do with ivy, so its most common name: ‘ground ivy’ is quite misleading. It has been called ‘cats foot’ because of its circular leaves or ‘alehoof’ as it was a common flavouring of beer before hops become well used.

It’s a common native perennial, has dark dull-green, hairy, heart -shaped leaves, square stems and purple flowers.

Ground ivy can be used to flavour food instead of herbs such as mint or thyme, or to make a sauce. It is sometimes candied with egg white and sugar.

It is most commonly used as an expectorant catarrh-clearing herb, often as an ingredient in remedies for persistent coughs and lung conditions. Research suggests it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is said (Hoffmann) to be particularly efficacious for tinnitus

Ground ivy is common and widespread, flowering in the spring but staying around as a leafy herb most of the year. All aerial parts can be used. It is generally taken as a tea: ‘gill tea’, the name being a reference to the French ‘guiller’ – to brew, the scource also of the name for a measure of drink. It can also be made into a tincture.

DNB Jan 2025