Family: N.O. Labiatae.

Synonyms: Nepeta Glechoma (Benth), Alehoof, Gill-go-over-the-Ground, Haymaids, Tun-hoof, Hedgemaids, Lizzy-run-up-the-Hedge, Gill-go-by-the-Hedge, Catsfoot and Robin-run-in-the-Hedge.

Part Used: The herb.

This well-known herb spreads and creeps along the ground. Roots shoot forth at the corners of tender-jointed stalks, set with two round leaves at every joint. The hollow, long flowers are of a blueish-purple color with small white spots on the lips that hang down.

Part Used Medicinally: The whole herb, gathered early in May, when most of the flowers are still quite fresh.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Diuretic, astringent, tonic and gentle stimulant. Useful in kidney diseases and for indigestion. It is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, kidney disease, abscesses, gatherings and tumours, eye problems and freckles. For abscesses, it is combined in equal parts with Chamomile flowers and used as a poultice.

A herb for all inward wounds, exulecrated lungs, or other parts, either by itself, or boiled with other similar herbs. It eases griping pains, windy and choleric humours in the stomach, spleen or belly; it helps the yellow jaundice by opening the stoppings of the gall bladder and liver, and melancholy by opening the stoppings of the spleen. It expels venom or poison and also the plague.

It provokes urine and women’s courses. The decoction of it in wine drank for some time eases those that are troubled by sciatica, or hip gout, and also the gout in the hands, knees or feet. If you add to the decoction some honey and a little burnt alum, it is excellent as a gargle for any sore mouth or throat, and to wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts of men and women.

It speedily helps heal wounds and bruises. The juice of it boiled with a little honey and verdigris can cleanse fistulas and ulcers as well as halt the spreading of cancers and ulcers. It helps the itch, scabs, wheals and other breakouts in any part of the body.