Tag: Creeping charlie

Historically, Ground Ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, was used in brewing ale by the Saxons before hops became popular. While often considered a weed, this member of the mint family is also a versatile culinary and medicinal herb, but it's essential to understand how to consume ground ivy safely and in moderation.

Historically used to flavor ale long before hops became common, the plant known as ground ivy or 'Creeping Charlie' has a complex reputation. This perennial herb is technically edible in small amounts, but understanding the potential toxicity and risks is crucial before consuming this common wild plant.

Historically, European settlers purposely brought the plant known as creeping Charlie (or ground ivy) to North America for its medicinal and culinary properties, valuing it as a useful herb rather than a nuisance weed. The question of “Can I eat creeping Charlie?” comes with a long history of use, but also significant modern caveats concerning safety and preparation.

While ground ivy, or Creeping Charlie, is often considered a nuisance lawn weed, it has a long history as a culinary herb in many parts of the world. So, can humans eat ground ivy safely? The answer depends on proper identification and consuming it in moderation, as ingesting large quantities can be mildly toxic due to certain compounds.

Creeping Charlie, or ground ivy, was deliberately brought to North America by European settlers for its medicinal and culinary uses. For foragers willing to look past its 'weed' status, almost all above-ground portions of the plant are considered edible, though it should be consumed in moderation due to its strong, bitter flavor.