Glechoma hederacea: A Comprehensive Insight into the Botanical Specification, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Nutritional Value, Pharmacology, and Non-medicinal Applications

Abstract Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy) is an aromatic perennial plant extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Its therapeutic properties have been recorded in Europe since antiquity. Traditionally, it is still used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, liver/bile diseases, respiratory ailments, and skin disorders. This review presents, for the first time, an in-depth examination of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, botany, safety of use, biological activity, and non-medical aspects associated with ground ivy. The data were extracted through detailed probing of key databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SciFinder. In addition, books, papers from conference proceedings, and websites were used. This study reveals that compounds belonging to various classes, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been identified. Crude extracts, fractions, and some individual compounds have shown various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and melanogenesis-modulating effects. Apart from its value in phytotherapy, G. hederacea also shows potential as a natural pesticide and stabilizing agent in the food industry. The traditional medicinal uses of the ground ivy, combined with modern scientific research, underscore its pharmacological potential. However, future studies should incorporate relevant animal experiments and clinical studies to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and bioavailability. Although there is a rich literature on secondary metabolites detected in G. hederacea, it seems right to fill in which compounds are determinants of a given activity. Finally, research on using G. hederacea as a natural pesticide, which could lead to its implementation, warrants further investigation.