Dosages (Ground Ivy) : - 4 g dry herb, or in tea, 1 - 3 ×/day (CAN; PH2); 2 - 4 ml liquid herbal extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2 g in tea (HHB); 1 tsp (0.8 g) herb in tea (MAD); 30 - 50 g plant juices (MAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Ground Ivy) : - Not covered (AHP). Hazards and/or side effects not recorded for proper therapeutic dosages (PH2). Animals grazing the plant are often intoxicated; symptoms include accelerated weak pulse, conjunctival hemorrhage, difficulty in breathing, dilation of the caecum, dizziness, elevated temperature, gastroenterosis, and megalosplenia. Grazing horses have suffered fatalities, as have mice fed only on this plant 3 - 4 days (PH2). CAN cautions that the pulegone in the volatile oil is an irritant to the GI tract and kidneys. Because of the irritant oil, its use in nephrosis, pregnancy, and lactation is to be avoided. Contraindicated, reportedly, in epilepsy, lactation, nephrosis, and pregnancy. In view of the lack of toxicity data and the reported cytotoxic activity of ursolic acid, excessive use of ground ivy should be avoided (CAN). But, all plants contain cytotoxic compounds and many, if not most, contain ursolic acid (JAD). Pulegone is an irritant, hepatotoxic, and abortifacient principle. In view of the lack of toxicity data and the possible irritant and abortifacient action of the volatile oil, the use of ground ivy during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided (PHR).
Extracts (Ground Ivy) : - Documented pharmacological activities support some of the herbal uses. Ethanol extracts are antiinflammatory and antiedemic; 2-alpha and 2-beta-hydroxyursolic acids protect mice from ulcers. Ursolic acid also demonstrates cytotoxic activity against lymphocytic leukemia, human lung carcinoma, and marginal activity against human colon and mammary tumors. Astringent and antiinflammatory activity is attributed (CAN) to its rosmarinic activity (which deserves a whole lot more praise than those two minor activities).
Draligus Health Disclaimer: Health Information Encyclopedia is a health encyclopedia for educational purposes, but does not provide medical - health information, medical diagnosis or medical treatment for your patients.
Advertise with Health Information