Foraging Ground Ivy & Recipes
Updated: Apr 22
Table of Contents
Cooking With Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy Oil
Introduction
My garden is full of Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) as is the surrounding countryside and I welcome this dainty creeping plant adorned with lovely, light to dark purple flowers. Ground Ivy is a very beautiful, much underated and under-utilised plant, the flowers are stunning with an orchid-like quality if you care to look closely and it has some incredibly valuable health benefits.
Ground Ivy is not related to Ivy, it belongs to the Lamiaceae family alongside Mint, Thyme, Sage and many other aromatic herbs used widely in cooking and medicine. If you taste it you will sense the similarites with other strongly aromatic herbs.
This safe and versatile plant has much to offer, read on to learn why Ground Ivy should take its place alongside Sage, Thyme and Mint as a key kitchen pharmacy herb.
How To Forage Ground Ivy
For culinary purposes Ground Ivy is considered to have better flavour before the flowers emerge, here it is a little for that now but the plant is still perfectly usable. Once in flower, I think it would be very difficult to mistake this plant but the leaves may be confused with Speedwell.
It grows everywhere here but seems to like to grow under hedgerows particularly, I find it in the sun, in the shade and often in dry habitats.
Cooking With Ground Ivy
The pretty flowers can be used as a garnish and the whole plant treated like a strongly aromatic herb, think Sage-like. The flavour is strong, aromatic and bitter lending itself to compliment cheese, eggs, meats and some salad dishes.
Ground Ivy is rich in vitamins and minerals particularly vitamin C and iron.
Ground Ivy Potato Salad
2 pounds small red potatoes, unpeeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1Tsp salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium shallot, minced
1 Tablespoon finely minced ground ivy
3 Tablespoons Wild Garlic Leaves
Place the sliced potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover them by about an inch, to give them a little bubble room. Add in the salt and bring the water to a boil. Once the water reaches a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 6 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and you can easily pierce them with a knife.
Scoop out ¼ cup of the potato water and set it aside in a small bowl. Drain the potatoes, discarding the rest of the water, and set the potatoes in a large bowl.
In the small bowl with the potato water, mix the olive oil, garlic, white wine vinegar, mustard, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the hot potatoes and let the flavors rest together for about 10 minutes.
After the potatoes have had time to absorb the dressing, stir in the shallot, ground ivy, and Wild Garlic. Give everything a big stir and enjoy!
Ground Ivy Stuffing
Ingredients: 300g breadcrumbs, 50-75g mixed cabbage and celery, 1 onion, butter/oil for frying, handful of fresh ground ivy.
Instructions: Sauté onions and cabbage, mix with breadcrumbs and finely chopped ground ivy, then bind with veggie stock and bake until golden.
Wild Chimichurri
1 shallot finely chopped
4 cloves of garlic crushed
Handful of flat leaf parsley chopped
Handful Wild Garlic leaves chopped
Small handful of Jack-by-the-hedge chopped
Small handful of Ground Ivy leaves chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 red chilli chopped
2 tbsps red wine vinegar
4 tbsps olive oil
salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, pour over red wine vinegar and oil and leave to marinade for at least 15 mins
Gut Health Benefits Of Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy is a bitter herb and this always indicates gut health benefits which will stimulate digestion, as an anti-inflammatory it will reduce inflammation in the digestive tract helping reduce the discomfort of conditions such as IBS.
Medicinal Uses Of Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy is a very useful medicinal plant especially in the early spring when we are detoxing and looking to clear lingering congestion from winter illnesses. It is superb for clearing congestion in the head and lungs with its highly aromatic volatile oils. These penetrating oils can help clear the mind and senses as well as blasting through nasal and bronchial catarrh that may have become chronic in nature.
Ground Ivy Properties
Anticatarrhal
Decongestant
Expectorant
Antimicrobial
Carminative
Conditions Ground Ivy May Help
Sinusitus
Chronic catarrh
Chronic bronchitis
Tinnitus
Sore throat
Cystitis
Ear congestion/infections
Ground Ivy Infusion
Make a simple infusion to clear any congestion, clear the mind or treat a sore throat by using as a gargle. Ground Ivy makes a very pleasant tea.
Ground Ivy Anti-congestion Steam
`Fill a large bowl or sink with fresh Ground Ivy leaves and flowers, pour over hot (freshly boiled, but cooled enough) water, put a towel over your head to catch the steam and inhale the aromatic compounds for 5-10 mins.
Ground Ivy Throat Spray Recipe
1. Simple Ground Ivy Tea Throat Spray
This is a quick, alcohol-free recipe suitable for immediate use.
Ingredients: 2 tsps fresh Ground Ivy, 1 cup boiling water, 1-2 tsp raw honey.
Method:
Pour boiling water over the ground ivy and let it steep for 10–15 minutes.
Strain the mixture, discarding the herbs.
Stir in the honey until dissolved.
Allow to cool, pour into a spray bottle, and store in the refrigerator.
Usage: Shake well before use and spray 2-3 times toward the back of the throat, 4-6 times daily.
Ground Ivy Oil
Ground Ivy-infused oil can be used for all manner of ailments and cosmetically. It is particularly effective for rubbing around the ear for earache, ear congestion or infection.
Gather a couple of handfuls of Ground Ivy, add to a double- boiler with 500ml Olive oil and slowly infuse on a low heat for several hours.
Strain and once cooled add 1-2 drops of vitamin E oil
Bottle in a sterile bottle and store for 1 year
Cosmetic Uses of Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy has the following skin benefits-
Astringent
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Soothes irritated skin
Reduces inflammation
Promotes healing
Ground Ivy would be indicated for Acne, it can be used as a poultice or compress for sores, abcesses and boils.
Ground Ivy Bath
Rejuvenating Bath
Traditionally, fresh ground ivy leaves and flowers were added to a warm bath to help soothe back pain, the skin, muscles, and joints. Add three cups of fresh herbs to five litres of simmering water. Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Strain the plant material and pour the infused water into the bathtub. Soak for at least 20 minutes to reap the benefits. The mildly sedative property of the plant promotes calm and will help you relax.
Ground Ivy Toner (particularly suited to oily/acne-prone skin)
Handful of Ground Ivy (flowers and leaves)
50 ml Apple Cider Vinegar
50 ml Flower water (rose, lavender, or orange blossom)
1-2 drops of lavender essential oil
Infuse the Ground Ivy in the vinegar for 2-4 weeks, strain
Mix with the flower water and add essential oil
Affiliate Links
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through any links. This is at no extra cost to you.
Comments