Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine across Europe. Historically, it has been applied topically to wounds and minor external bleeding due to its purported astringent properties, which are believed to help constrict tissue and blood vessels, thus reducing bleeding. Medieval and early modern herbalists, such as Nicholas Culpeper, recommended Ground Ivy poultices for wound care. The astringency is attributed to tannins and other polyphenolic compounds present in the plant, which can promote local coagulation and tissue contraction.

However, there is a lack of modern scientific studies directly validating the efficacy or safety of Ground Ivy for stopping external bleeding. Contemporary herbal texts may still reference its traditional use, but clinical trials or pharmacological studies are absent. Therefore, the evidence for its use in this context is primarily anecdotal and based on historical practice rather than robust scientific validation. Caution is advised, as topical use of untested herbal products can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.