Ground Ivy: Meet The Lawn Menace That Actually Wants To Heal You

If you care about lawn appearances, you have probably spent a significant portion of your life cursing the existence of Creeping Charlie. Also known as Ground Ivy, this relentless green blanket is the bane of pristine suburban existence. It sneaks under fences, laughs at your weed killer, and takes over your flowerbeds like it owns the place.

But here is the twist. That stubborn little plant you are trying so hard to murder is actually a treasure trove of wellness. Before people became obsessed with pristine, chemically treated monoculture lawns, Ground Ivy was a highly respected member of the backyard pharmacy. It is time to stop fighting it and start harvesting it!

Where To Find It (Spoiler: Just Look Down)

Ground Ivy is not exotic. You do not need to hike up a treacherous mountain peak to find it. It is likely hanging out right in your backyard, particularly in the damp, shady spots where your grass refuses to grow. It's awesome like that.

To make sure you are harvesting the right plant and not some random lookalike, look for a few key features. Creeping Charlie belongs to the mint family. This means it has a square stem. If you roll the stem between your fingers, you will feel distinct edges. It has round, scalloped leaves that look like tiny green fans, and in the spring, it produces small, funnel shaped purple flowers. If you step on it and notice a strong, aromatic, slightly minty and earthy scent, you have found your prize.

The Medicine Behind "The Menace"

Now that you know how to find it, let’s talk about why you should care. Ground Ivy is packed with volatile oils, flavonoids, and a massive dose of vitamin C. Historically, it was used to prevent scurvy, but today we also appreciate it for its ability to clear things out.

Congestion and Respiratory Relief

If your sinuses feel like they have been stuffed with wet concrete, Ground Ivy is your new best friend. It acts as an excellent expectorant, meaning it helps break up stubborn mucus and gets it out of your system. It is fantastic for chronic congestion, lingering coughs, and the seasonal allergies that leave you feeling miserable.

Kidney and Bladder Support

Ground Ivy is a mild diuretic. It coaxes your kidneys into flushing out toxins and excess fluid, helping to clear out the urinary tract. It has a long history of use for tonifying the kidneys and relieving damp stagnation in the lower body.

Digestive Toning

Because it is a bitter mint, Ground Ivy stimulates digestion. If your stomach feels sluggish or bloated after a heavy meal, a little Ground Ivy can help get things moving again by stimulating your digestive juices.

How To Use Ground Ivy

The easiest way to get this plant into your life is by making a simple infusion. Gather a handful of fresh, clean leaves and flowers, rinse them off, and steep them in hot water for about ten minutes. Drink it as a tea to help clear your head or soothe your stomach.

You can also crush the fresh leaves into a paste and apply it directly to minor skin irritations, insect bites, or bruises. It reduces inflammation and speeds up healing.

Just remember to harvest responsibly. Do not pick Ground Ivy from lawns that have been sprayed with chemical pesticides (be sure and leave a note for those folks poisoning our environment!) or areas right next to a busy road where cars leave toxic residue. Find a clean, wild patch, apologize to it for all the times you called it a nuisance, and let it do what it does best.

Quotes of note:
“Such plants are "weeds" only to those who make a business of selling and applying chemicals.” ― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring 

“Creeping Charlie was the real rock star, though, according to Dad. It thrived in the shade on the edge of forests and sometimes on rocky soil, and the world saw it as a greedy invader. They didn't know, Dad said, that Creeping Charlie was a jack-of-all-trades. It kept soil from sliding, sure, but also its dry leaves could be made into a tea that was great for colds and coughs. Eaten fresh or boiled, the leaves were a delicious source of vitamin C. But that was just the start. Creeping Charlie, and most ground ivy, was magic. It had strong antibacterial properties, rid the body of excess mucus, was an astringent and diuretic, could be turned into a balm that sped up healing, and treated everything from tuberculosis to tumors to tinnitus.”
― Jess Lourey, Litani