Nutrition, Foraging & Traditional Uses
Season
Early spring – late autumn
Habitat
Woodland edges, grassy verges, shady gardens, hedgerows
Edibility
Edible leaves and flowers; best when young and tender
Introduction
Ground ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie or Alehoof, is a small but powerful herb that carpets the ground with its round scalloped leaves and violet-blue blossoms. Once used to clarify and flavor beer before hops, this aromatic wild green has a long tradition in European herbalism — both in the kitchen and the apothecary.
Identification
🌸 Leaves: Round to kidney-shaped, scalloped edges, opposite on creeping stems.
💜 Flowers: Tiny tubular blooms, violet-blue with purple markings, appearing from March to May.
🌿 Stem: Creeping and rooting at nodes; slightly hairy.
🍃 Scent: Strong minty-aromatic smell when crushed (a key identifier).
🔍 Note: Often mistaken for henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) or purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), but ground ivy has a trailing growth and distinct aroma.
When to Harvest
Best time: Spring to early summer, before flowering for fresh greens.
Harvest young leaves for salads or herbal teas.
Older leaves are stronger and best used cooked or infused.
Where to Find Them
Ground ivy thrives in moist, semi-shady areas — along forest paths, old walls, and grassy verges. It’s often one of the first greens to appear in spring and remains vibrant until frost.
Health Benefits
- Traditionally valued as a cleansing spring tonic and respiratory herb.
- Contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential oils supporting immunity and digestion.
- Used in folk medicine to soothe coughs, sinus issues, and inflammation.
Recipes
Ground Ivy Spring Salad
fresh young leaves with lemon dressing.
Ground Ivy Herbal Tea
detoxifying and aromatic infusion.
Wildflower Honey Infusion
calming blend of ground ivy and violets.
Storage Tips
Fresh ❄️
Store in damp cloth or jar of water; use within 3 days.
Dried 🏺
Air-dry leaves and flowers for tea; store airtight.
Infused 💜
Lightly sauté before freezing for up to 6 months.
Folklore & Symbolism
- In old English lore, ground ivy was a protective herb, hung above doorways to ward off illness and evil spirits.
- Associated with clarity, grounding, and renewal, it was believed to open “the inner eye.”
- Once used by alewives to clarify beer, symbolizing purity and transformation in brewing rituals.