Folklore Of Ground Ivy

One of my plant friends, the ground ivy, in German called Gundermann (Glechoma hederacea), also known as Soldatenpetersilie (soldier's parsley) because of its high vitamin C content during war times, sprouts in natural gardens as well as in the wild. Small and inconspicuous, it winds its way up stones and plants. Even though many gardeners curse it because it quickly overgrows everything, it is nevertheless a valuable addition to the medicine cabinet and kitchen. It attracts attention with its small blue flowers.
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The small plant was already used by our Germanic ancestors as a powerful magic herb. According to ancient beliefs, its many health benefits could only be achieved in conjunction with helpful spirits.
The ground ivy was considered to have protective magical powers. It was also believed to make people clairvoyant.
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Walpurgis Night
On the first night of May, farmers mixed ground ivy with salt into the cows' feed so that they would produce a lot of milk. The milk utensils were wiped out with the plant.
Fear of witches was widespread in the Middle Ages. People hoped to recognise witches with the clairvoyant herb. This was supposed to be possible on Walpurgis Night if one wore a wreath of Gundermann on one's head.
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Spells and milk blessings
According to another spell, the tundra was wrapped around a yellow candle. If you burned this candle on a Tuesday, you would be able to see who meant you harm.
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Ground ivy was one of the important magical herbs that protected house and farm from lightning and storms.
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In other customs, healing and magic merged. For example, some Gundermann was placed in the nest of the brood goose so that the goslings would hatch healthy and strong. It was mixed into the brood hens' feed, cut into small pieces, so that the young chicks would become strong.
In addition to its use as a medicine, ground ivy was also considered to have healing properties due to its magical power. For example, wrapping ground ivy around one's head was supposed to promote bowel movements.
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Odd numbers supported superstitious magic. If you put 7 leaves of ground ivy in an unbleached cloth and wore it around your neck, you would drive away the "burn in your mouth". If 77 leaves are placed on a wound, healing is guaranteed.
Folk medicine still uses many of the once common applications, for example for toothache and inflammation of the oral mucosa.
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Gundermann is traditionally recommended for poorly healing wounds, convalescence, rheumatism, aching limbs, bladder weakness, chronic colds and coughs, and kidney weakness.

Admitted effects: Gundermann is considered anti-inflammatory, metabolism-promoting, antiseptic and antiviral. It has a general invigorating, draining, toning and astringent effect.

Its consumption improves urination, stimulates the appetite and aids digestion.

The leaves are used because they contain valuable essential oils, tannins and bitter substances.

Because of its active ingredients, gundermann is also suitable as a skin tonic, for example in a facial tonic for blemished skin.
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Kitchen spice
Gundermann was once used to preserve beer, which was already popular among the Germanic tribes. Today, gundermann is mainly used fresh in the kitchen. It is used to flavour herb curd, herb soups and herb butter.

Tea recipe
For gundermann tea, pour 500 ml of boiling water over two tablespoons of the herb and let it steep for 10 minutes, covered. Drink two cups a day for colds, bladder and kidney problems and congestion of the lungs. The tea also stimulates the appetite and can relieve pain.

The tea can also be used to wash or dress wounds. As a mouthwash it helps with toothache and purulent periodontitis.

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