HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GROUND PINE/ 373Production:' Ground Ivy is the aboveground part of Glecho-
ma hederacea, gathered when in flower (from April to June).
It is air-dried in the shade to keep loss of the essential oil to a
minimum. s
Other Names: Alehoof. Gill-Go-over-the-Ground, Lizzy-
Run-up-the-Hedge, Gill-to-by-the-Hedge, Robin-Run-in-the-
Hedge, Catsfoot, Hedgemaids, Tun-Hoof, Haymaids,
Turnhoof, Creeping Charlie. Cat's-PawEFFECTS
^r The drug is said to be an anti-inflammatory, which is
believed to be due to the tripterpen content. No detailed
information is available.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used internally
for inflammation of gastrointestinal mucous membranes and
diarrhea. Ground Ivy is also used for mild respiratory
complaints of the upper bronchia; in the symptomatic
treatment of coughs; and as a diuretic in cases of bladder and
kidney stones. Externally, the drug is used for the treatment
of poorly healing wounds, ulcers and skin diseases. In Italy,
it is used for arthritis and rheumatism.
Chinese Medicine: Ground Ivy is used to treat carbuncles,
erysipelas, lower abdominal pain, scabies, scrofulous, irregu-
lar menstruation, coughs, dysentery and jaundice. Efficacy
has not, however, been proven for these indications.
Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include diarrhea
and hemorrhoids.<4(r PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. Fatal
poisonings were observed among horses following intake of
large quantities of the fresh plant. Mice who were fed solely
on the plant died after 3 to 4 days.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is used internally as well
as externally.
Preparations: The liquid extract (1:1) is prepared by using
25% ethanol.
Daily Dosage: The normal single daily dose of the dried
drug is 2 to 4 gm internally; externally, crushed leaves are
placed on the affected areas.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day; suppositories: 1 suppository 2 to 3 times daily
(chronic and acute) (HAB34)
Storage: Ground Ivy should be stored where it is not
exposed to light.
LITERATURE
Barberan FAT, (1986) Fitoterapia 57(2):67.
Bohinc P, Korbar-Smid J, Cicerov-Cergol M, Uber die
kardiotonischen Substanzen des Gnadenkrautes - Gratiola
officinalis. In: Sci Pharm 47:108-113. 1979.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen). Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Mascolo N et al., (1987) Phytother Res l(l):28.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen. Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Sevenet T, Looking for new drugs: what criteria? J
Ethnopharmacol, 32:83-90, Apr 1991.
Ground Pine
Ajuga chamaepitys
DESCRIPTION
Flower and Fruit: The plant has 2 to 4 flowers at each node.
The petals are 4 to 6 mm. The tips of the petals are as long as
or shorter than the tube: The corolla is yellow with red or
purple markings, rarely entirely purple. The lower lip is
entire, and the stamens are exerted. The filaments are hairy.
The mericarps are 2 to 5 mm long, obovate and reticulate-
wrinkled with a pitted surface.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Ground Pine is an annual or short-
lived perennial. The stem is 5 to 30 cm long. It is usually
heavily branched, glabrous to densely villous. The leaves are
3-partite with linear segments. They are 0.5 to 4 mm wide.
The segments are sometimes 3-pinnatifid. The bracts are
similar to the leaves.ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (traces): chief components (-)-pinocarvone, (-)-
menthone, (+)-pulegone. also including germacran D, germa-
cran B, cis-ocimene
Sesquiterpenes: glechomafuran, glechomanolide
Hydroxy fatty acid: 9-hydroxy-10-trans, 12-cis-octadeca-
diendic acid
Cajfeic acid derivatives: rosmaric acid
Flavonoids: including cymaroside, cosmosyin, hypersoside
isoquercitrin