The Description.
Ground Ivy is a low or base herbe; it creepeth and spreads upon the ground hither and thither all about, with many stalkes of an uncertaine length, slender, and like those of the Vine, something cornered, and sometimes reddish: whereupon grow leaves something broad and round, wrinckled, hairy, nicked in the edges, for the most part two out of everie joint: amongst which come forth the floures gaping like little hoods, not unlike to those of Germander, of a purplish blew colour: the roots are very threddy: the whole plant is of a strong smell and bitter taste.
The Place.
It is found as well in tilled as in untilled places, but most commonly in obscure and darke places, upon banks under hedges, and by the sides of houses.
The Time.
It remaineth greene not onely in Summer, but also in Winter at any time of the yeare: it floureth from Aprill till Summer be far spent.
The Names.
In English, Ground-Ivy, Ale-hoofe, Gill go by ground, Tune-hoof, and Cats-foot.
The Vertues.
Ground-Ivy is commended against the humming noyse and ringing sound of the eares, being put into them, and for them that are hard of hearing.
Ground-Ivy, Celandine, and Daisies, of each a like quantitie, stamped and strained, and a little sugar and rose water put thereto, and dropped with a feather into the eies, taketh away all manner of inflammation, spots, webs, itch, smarting, or any griefe whatsoever in the eyes, yea although the sight were nigh hand gone: it is proved to be the best medicine in the world.
The herbes stamped as aforesaid, and mixed with a little ale and honey, and strained, take away the pinne and web, or any griefe out of the eyes of horse or cow, or any other beast, being squirted into the same with a syringe, or I might have said the liquor injected into the eies with a syringe. But I list not to be over eloquent among Gentlewomen, to whom especially my Workes are most necessarie.
The women of our Northerne parts, especially about Wales and Cheshire, do turne the herbe Ale-hoof into their Ale; but the reason thereof I know not: notwithstanding without all controversie it is most singular against the griefes aforesaid; being tunned up in ale and drunke, it also purgeth the head from rheumaticke humors flowing from the braine.