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Glechoma hederacea
Glechoma hederacea
Traditional European remedy for coughs and respiratory conditions
How does Glechoma hederacea work for respiratory conditions?
Glechoma hederacea exerts its effects through active compounds like rosmarinic acid, saponins, and terpenes. Rosmarinic acid provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to soothe irritated mucous membranes. The saponins are believed to act as expectorants, facilitating the clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract. While these mechanisms are pharmacologically plausible, specific clinical trials confirming these effects in humans are limited (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).
Does ground ivy interact with any prescription medications?
There is limited clinical data regarding specific drug interactions for Glechoma hederacea. However, due to its traditional use as a diuretic and its effects on the kidneys, it may theoretically potentiate the effects of diuretic drugs or interfere with medications processed by the kidneys. Because it contains compounds that can irritate the stomach, it may also affect the absorption of oral medications. Patients taking prescription drugs should consult a healthcare provider before use (Evidence Level: D).
Is ground ivy safe to take during pregnancy?
No, Glechoma hederacea is considered unsafe during pregnancy. Traditional usage and safety classifications indicate that it may stimulate uterine contractions or cause fetal distress. Due to the potential for adverse effects on the pregnancy and a lack of safety data, pregnant women should strictly avoid consuming this herb. It is also contraindicated during breastfeeding (Evidence Level: D/Traditional).
What is the recommended dosage for Glechoma hederacea tea?
The standard adult dosage for Glechoma hederacea tea is 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried aerial parts per cup of boiling water. This infusion is typically taken up to three times per day. Users should not exceed this recommended dosage without professional guidance, as higher doses may increase the risk of adverse effects (Evidence Level: Traditional).
Can you take ground ivy if you have epilepsy?
No, individuals with epilepsy should not take Glechoma hederacea. The herb is contraindicated for those with seizure disorders because it may lower the seizure threshold, potentially triggering a seizure. This risk is likely due to specific chemical constituents affecting the nervous system. Patients with epilepsy should seek alternative remedies for respiratory issues (Evidence Level: D).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Glechoma hederacea, commonly known as ground ivy, is an aromatic perennial plant used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective properties [PMID:35336701, 42173111].
Background
Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy or gill-over-the-ground) is a member of the Lamiaceae family [PMID: 24850617, 35742016]. It is distributed across Europe and eastern Asia [PMID: 27870903].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory disorders [PMID: 24850617], asthma, bronchitis, cholelithiasis, colds, and inflammation [PMID: 35651699]. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is prescribed for cholelithiasis, dropsy, abscess, diabetes, inflammation, and jaundice [PMID: 28416441]. It is also used for gastrointestinal disorders, liver/bile diseases, respiratory ailments, and skin disorders [PMID: 42173111].
Active compounds
Main bioactive components include polyphenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid [PMID: 38069297, 35336701, 31152813]. Other identified compounds include flavonoids (rutin, apigenin, luteolin), pentacyclic triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid) [PMID: 33450770, 31362424, 24477256], and various terpenoids including sesquiterpene and diterpene glycosides [PMID: 35651699].
Mechanism of action
Glechoma hederacea ethanol extract suppresses RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis by abrogating free cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations [PMID: 24850617]. It exhibits antioxidant activity by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing DNA damage in macrophages [PMID: 38069297, 31152813]. Certain flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin) act as xanthine oxidase inhibitors [PMID: 24477256].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DCholestatic liver injury
Hot water extracts showed protective effects against cholestatic liver injury in a bile duct-ligated rat model, improving serum biochemicals and reducing oxidative stress [PMID: 28416441]
Evidence DGallstone formation
Extract (Hitrechol®) was evaluated for its protective effect against gallstone development in rodent models [PMID: 34261 la71]
Evidence DS. aureus infected skin wounds
A 5% methanolic extract hydrogel showed significant wound healing potential in a rat model [PMID: 35942893]
Evidence DOsteoclastogenesis
Ethanol extract markedly suppressed multi-nucleated cell formation, TRAP activity, and NFATc1 expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages [PMID: 24850617]
Safety & adverse effects
General toxicity was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay [PMID: 12490241], but specific adverse effects in humans are not detailed in the provided abstracts.
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell line studies and in vivo rodent models (Level D), demonstrating significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective potential.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 24850617 (2014) — Glechoma hederacea Suppresses RANKL-mediated Osteoclastogenesis. · Journal of dental research
2.PMID: 38069297 (2023) — Studying the Functional Potential of Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) Extract Using an In Vitro Methodology. · International journal of molecular sciences
3.PMID: 35651699 (2022) — Terpenoids from Glechoma hederacea var. longituba and their biological activities. · Beilstein journal of organic chemistry
4.PMID: 33450770 (2021) — Simultaneous Quantification of Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids in Glechoma hederacea and Glechoma hirsuta by UPLC/MS/MS. · Planta medica
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 35742016 (2022) — Development, Characterization and Incorporation of Alginate-Plant Protein Covered Liposomes Containing Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) Extract into Candies. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 35336701 (2022) — Wild-Grown and Cultivated Glechoma hederacea L.: Chemical Composition and Potential for Cultivation in Organic Farming Conditions. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 28416441 (2017) — Glechoma hederacea extracts attenuate cholestatic liver injury in a bile duct-ligated rat model. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
9.PMID: 34261471 (2021) — Protective effect of Glechoma hederacea extract against gallstone formation in rodent models. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
10.PMID: 35942893 (2023) — LC-MS/MS metabolomics profiling of Glechoma hederacea L. methanolic extract; in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo with in silico wound healing studies on Staphylococcus aureus infected rat skin wound. · Natural product research
11.PMID: 36079600 (2022) — Optimization of the Extraction Procedure for the Phenolic-Rich Glechoma hederacea L. Herb and Evaluation of Its Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Potential. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 12535343 (2003) — Leaves of the Lamiaceae species Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy) contain a lectin that is structurally and evolutionary related to the legume lectins. · The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
13.PMID: 33683457 (2021) — Facile synthesis of Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles using Glechoma hederacea L. extract, and their activity against leukemia. · Biomedical microdevices
14.PMID: 31152813 (2019) — Phytochemical profile of hot water extract of Glechoma hederacea and its antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. · Life sciences
15.PMID: 31362424 (2019) — Ursolic Acid and Its Derivatives as Bioactive Agents. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 41010407 (2025) — Comprehensive Pharmacobotanical and Phytochemical Profiling of Glechoma hederacea L. from Bihor County, North-West Romania. · Life (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 42173111 (2026) — Glechoma hederacea: A Comprehensive Insight into the Botanical Specification, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Nutritional Value, Pharmacology, and Non-medicinal Applications. · Planta medica
18.PMID: 35267291 (2022) — Comprehensive Study of Traditional Plant Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) Grown in Croatia in Terms of Nutritional and Bioactive Composition. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
19.PMID: 20184023 (2010) — Antioxidant effects of Glechoma hederacea as a food additive. · Natural product communications
20.PMID: 27886270 (2016) — AM fungi patchiness and the clonal growth of Glechoma hederacea in heterogeneous environments. · Scientific reports
21.PMID: 17268115 (2007) — Two new glycosides from the whole plants of Glechoma hederacea L. · Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
22.PMID: 34914114 (2022) — Phenolic acids and flavonoids-rich Glechoma hederacea L. (Lamiaceae) water extract against H2 O2 -induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. · Journal of food biochemistry
23.PMID: 27870903 (2016) — rDNA Loci Evolution in the Genus Glechoma (Lamiaceae). · PloS one
24.PMID: 34121206 (2021) — Phytochemical composition and bioactive effects of ethyl acetate fraction extract (EAFE) of Glechoma hederacea L. · Journal of food biochemistry
25.PMID: 24477256 (2013) — Chemical evidence for potent xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of Glechoma hederacea var. grandis leaves (kakidoushi-cha). · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology