Horehound Herb Profile
Also known as
Marrubium vulgare, marrubio, white horehound, wooly horehound, bull’s blood, eye of the star, and soldier’s tea.
Introduction
Horehound is a garden mint with green and white leaves and a distinctively bitter taste. It is native to Asia and Europe, but is naturalized in North America. Although the herb grows in a wide range of climates, the best quality is grown in desert heat. Its primary use has been as an expectorant, and is a common ingredient in cough medicines. The German E Commission has reported that it is also good for loss of appetite and dyspepsia. Its uses go back to the Egyptians and Romans, who used it for coughs, colds, and some poisons. Egyptian priests referred to it as the "Seed of Horus", which some speculate its modern name came from. In medieval Europe it was used to ward off spells by witches. It is also recorded as one of the "bitter herbs" eaten at Passover.
Constituents
Marrubiin (the bitter substance in the herb), flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin, and vitexin, caffeic acid and stachydrine, and a small amount of essential oil and tannins.
Parts Used
The above-ground parts of the plant, dried and cut.
Typical Preparations
Usually as a tea, but also in infusions, tinctures, and encapsulations. Historically made as a candy or confection.
Summary
Horehound is used to make cough medicines for people whose upper respiratory symptoms are caused by acid reflux. The marubiinic acid in the herb both stimulates the release of phlegm and stimulates the release of gastric acids so that digestion is complete more quickly and nighttime gastric reflux is minimized. This compound is also mildly analgesic, relieving pain caused by cough or indigestion.
Precautions
Horehound isn?t good unless it tastes bad (or at least bitter). The bitter taste activates a reflex action that helps normalize breathing and digestion, and the beneficial effects of the herb are not realized if it is combined with too much sugar or other sweetener. Generally not recommended while pregnant. Also, if gathering in the wild, be sure not to confuse with black or stinking horehound, which can be toxic if taken in large doses.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
