What is Ground Ivy?

Ground ivy, just as the name implies, is a plant that spreads on the ground to cover the whole ground like a carpet. It is a medicinal plant from the mint family. Herbs are usually made out of the ground ivy plant, and these herbs, according to research, can supply the body with several health benefits.

No part of the ground ivy plant is useless as herbs can be made from leaves and flowers. Although, it is a herb that has a bitter taste and may put you off as soon as you get to taste it. However, understanding the benefits you can enjoy from drinking it motivates you to drink it even more than expected.

Ground ivy used to be common in Europe and some parts of Asia. People in these regions use it for both medicinal and culinary purposes. In other parts of the world, ground ivy is considered a weed, and people find ways to get rid of it. However, today, the plant is widely used for medicinal purposes by people in other parts of the world. This is a result of the health benefits they get from the herb.

It is packed with properties like iron, vitamin C, and potassium, all of which are responsible for the health benefits it supplies. Coupled with its health benefits, studies have shown that it is a healthy natural food preservative and can be employed as a flavoring agent in foods.

Uses of Ground Ivy

Apart from making herbs out of dried flowers and leaves of ground ivy, you can incorporate them into your diet by blending the leaves and adding them to your smoothies. In addition, you can slice ground ivy leaves and add them to your vegetable salad.

You can also cook it alone as a vegetable or as part of your healthy vegetable soup. Whichever method of incorporation you adopt, just ensure that you eat enough of these greens so that you can start relishing the health benefits in no time.

One of the most active agents in ground ivy is its anti-inflammatory agent, which functions as a stimulant, decongestant, digestive, and diuretic agent. It is also packed with tannins and essential oils. These contribute to why ground ivy effectively treats lung-related problems, cold, flu, sinusitis, pain, headaches, and rheumatism.

Thus, if you are thinking of getting rid of that plant because you think it is a mere weed, you are mistaken. All you should do if you do not want it to take over the whole of your garden is trim it, but getting rid of it completely is a no-no.

As beneficial as ground ivy can be to health, overusing it or taking it in enormous quantities over a prolonged period can lead to side effects. Thus, ensure that you take the herb or eat the vegetable in moderate amounts.

This article is stuffed with ground ivy’s health benefits and the side effects that may occur if you overuse the herb.

Health Benefits of Ground Ivy

Improves the Digestive System

Indigestion can result from numerous factors ranging from underlying health conditions to food contamination. Eating foods that can help preserve the digestive system’s health and also improve the function of the digestive system will help eliminate all digestion issues. Incorporating ground ivy as a vegetable into your meals can help you get rid of digestive issues.

In cases where indigestion is severe, you can dry some ground ivy leaves and steep them in hot water, then drink the herb at least 2 times a day to get rid of indigestion. Some of the digestive health issues for which ground ivy is popular for curing are gas, colic, diarrhea, and flatulence.

Cures Certain Skin Conditions

One of the soundest ways to get rid of skin conditions is by adopting natural skin care remedies. Using chemical-based products to get rid of skin conditions can worsen the skin’s condition and lead to severe side effects. This is why it is recommended to use natural skin care products as your daily skin regimen and natural remedies whenever you have any skin condition.

Nature is filled with herbs and natural gels that are effective in getting rid of different skin conditions. Nonetheless, ground ivy is one of the best natural remedies for skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in the elimination of the inflammation of the skin and put an end to the severity of the skin condition. You can add some ground ivy leaves of ground ivy into your natural skin care products or have a bath with ground ivy herb at least 2 times a day. However, if your condition persists after 2 days, you should visit a doctor, as your condition may result from an underlying health condition.

Treats Cold and Everything In-between

In ancient Europe and Asia, ground ivy was mostly used to treat colds, sinusitis, flu, runny nose, and every other condition that comes with a cold. Recent studies showed that coupled with these. Ground ivy also treats some other mild lung problems like bronchitis and mild asthma.

Drinking ground ivy herbs or inhaling crushed ground ivy leaves can help you get rid of lung problems and cold faster. Studies have shown that ground ivy outperforms some over-the-counter medications in most people with cold, sore throats, and other cold-related health conditions. That is, it works faster and more effectively than some over-the-counter medications. Thus, before you jump at those medications, you should first try that ground ivy in your garden.

Natural Diuretic

Ground ivy is a natural diuretic that helps the kidneys perform their functions properly. They help the kidneys in the detoxification process and cleansing of both the kidneys and the whole body. Coupled with detoxification, it also helps treat some kidney-related and urinary tract-related health conditions like painful urination, slow urination, difficulty passing urine, and urinary tract stones. In other words, ground ivy supports kidney and urinary tract health. It also boosts their function, so they can perform it properly.

May Prevent Cancer

The vitamin C content in ground ivy acts as a natural antioxidant, and antioxidants are popular for their effectiveness in preventing cell death caused by oxidative stress. Both the process of cell death and oxidative stress can trigger the onset of cancer. This is because these dead cells, when they begin to get accumulated in the body, can become cancerous and trigger processes that can lead to cancer.

Coupled with ground ivy, ensure to consume other foods that are rich in antioxidants to help you prevent cancer, as cancer has been discovered to be one of the leading causes of death in the world. While doing simple physical examinations, you should also go for some tests to check yourself properly, especially for early detection.

Menstrual Cramps

Do not blame yourself if the first thing you do when you feel those cramps is jump at over-the-counter pain relievers. However, are you aware that there is something so natural that can save you money and clear your cramps faster than your most trusted pain reliever? That thing is ground ivy.

Having ground ivy in your home as a woman is a great asset, especially if you are a constant customer of menstrual pain. Drinking herbs made from either the flower or leaves of ground ivy can help calm your raging abdomen during your menstruation.

Side Effects of Ground Ivy

Ground ivy can be a natural and healthy medicinal plant that can improve your health and make your body feel healthy and strong. However, taking too much of it can trigger side effects that can be severe depending on the dosage. You don’t have to take too much of it to start enjoying the health benefits. You need a moderate amount, and you are good to go.

However, if you consume excess amounts of ground ivy for a long time, you are likely going to suffer from one or all of the following;

• Severe skin reactions
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Gas
• Sudden fever

In addition to this, if you are suffering from any underlying health condition and have been placed on any medication, you should not use ground ivy for any reason whatsoever, or you can consult your doctor about it.

Conclusion

Ground ivy is an asset if you have it in your home. Use it to your advantage.