Ground Ivy Elixir

Decoctum Glechomae hederaceae cp.

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Ground — Ground

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, ground ivy elixir was associated with the airways and the lungs.

Ingredients

Ground ivy and basil leaves, caraway (Carum carvi), water, nutmeg, galangal and pear-mistletoe powder, white wine and honey.

Preparation

First boil the herbs — 12.5 g ground ivy leaves, 15 g basil leaves and 20 g caraway — in 500 ml of water and strain. Separately, boil 7.5 g nutmeg, 2.5 g galangal and 15 g pear-mistletoe powder in 1 litre of white wine, add 150 g honey and boil for 5 minutes. Mix the two liquids, strain and bottle.

Note

Also available as a ready-made product.

Botanical background

Because of its essential oils, ursolic, cinnamic and rosmarinic acid and bioflavonoids, ground ivy is credited with anti-inflammatory properties and with caring for the mucous membranes. Pear mistletoe provides plant hormones that can be converted to progesterone in the body.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 128.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 60.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-105 (Gundelrebe).

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More preparations using Ground

Ground Ivy Compress Ground-ivy

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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