Last update Oct. 21, 2023

Ground Ivy

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

The flowering tops of this plant are used. It contains marrubiin (a bitter sesquiterpene lactone), tannins, choline, phenolic acids (rosmarinic, caffeic, chlorogenic) and flavonoids (mainly rutin and glycoside derivatives of apigenin, quercetin and luteolin). It is used in traditional medicine to treat colds, diarrhea, biliary conditions and urinary tract infections. There is no clinical evidence to support the folk indications. (Fitoterapia.net, Sławińska 2023)

As of the last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

There is very little published data on the therapeutic use of this plant, but it seems devoid of toxicity (there are no published intoxications or side effects). Its antioxidant properties are being investigated. (Sławińska 2023)

Precautions when taking plant preparations (Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995):

  • Make sure they are from a reliable source: Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties (Hsu 1995), poisonings due to heavy metals that the plants extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. (Anderson 2017)
  • Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from expert phytotherapy professionals. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. (Powers 2015, Zava 1998)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Ground Ivy in other languages or writings:

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Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Ground Ivy in its composition:

References

  1. Sławińska N, Kluska M, Moniuszko-Szajwaj B, Stochmal A, Woźniak K, Olas B. New Aspect of Composition and Biological Properties of Glechoma hederacea L. Herb: Detailed Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticoagulant Activity and Toxicity in Selected Human Cells and Plasma In Vitro. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 29;15(7). pii: 1671. Consulted on Oct. 6, 2023 Abstract
  2. Anderson PO. Herbal Use During Breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2017 Abstract
  3. ENGELHARD Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. Prospan. Leaflet. 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  4. Powers CN, Setzer WN. A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements. In Silico Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 22;3:4. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Posadzki P, Watson L, Ernst E. Contamination and adulteration of herbal medicinal products (HMPs): an overview of systematic reviews. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Abstract
  6. Efferth T, Kaina B. Toxicities by herbal medicines with emphasis to traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Drug Metab. 2011 Abstract
  7. Kopec K. Herbal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1999 Jun;15(2):157-61. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  8. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998 Abstract
  9. Hsu CK, Leo P, Shastry D, Meggs W, Weisman R, Hoffman RS. Anticholinergic poisoning associated with herbal tea. Arch Intern Med. 1995 Abstract

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