HOREHOUND

Medicinal Uses

coughs

colds

asthma

whooping cough

wheezing

bronchitis

tuberculosis

laryngitis

chronic bronchitis

pneumonia

loss of appetite

dyspepsia

bloating

flatulence

chronic earache

strengthens eyesight

The horehound is considered the best herbal remedy to eliminate severe mucus congestion of the respiratory passages. Many herbalists find it much more effective than the standard herbal congestion remedy, coltsfoot.
Used centuries ago by the Egyptians as a cure for malaria and fever.
The sixteenth century Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard and seventeenth century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper indicated its use for wheezing and tuberculosis.
Horehound has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat acute or chronic bronchitis and whooping cough.
The Cherokee Indians used horehound as a cold remedy, cough medicine, and throat aid and prepared a cough syrup by combining the infusion with sugar.
The Navajo prepared an infusion to treat sore throats and the Kawaiisu prepared hot and cold aqueous infusions of the leaves and flowering tops to treat coughs and colds.
In Germany, horehound is used to treat dyspeptic complaints such as feeling of repletion, flatulence, and loss of appetite. It is also used for catarrh of the respiratory tract
Culpepper says: 'It helpeth to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken with the roots of Irris or Orris".
A methanolic dry extract from white horehound leaf significantly suppressed cell growth in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-116 by induction of apoptosis at a concentration of 250 μg/ml (p<0.05). At 100 μg/ml the extract increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein NAG-1 [Yamaguchi 2006].
A methanolic extract exhibited anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 100 mg/ ml) as well as Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC 200 mg/ml) [Masoodi 2008]

Constituents

0.31% bitter diterpene principles, mainly marrubiin, which has a bitterness index (BI) of 65,000
diterpene alcohols, including peregrinol, vulgarol, marrubiol, marrubenol, and phytol
up to 7% tannins
alkaloids including approximately 0.3%
betonicine and stachydrine; 0.2%
choline; 0.05%0.06%
volatile oil, mainly monoterpenes
flavonoids

Energetics/ Organoleptics

CHARACTERISTICS: Aromatic, pungent, bitter and cool; an interesting blend of mild astringency and soft, soothing
ENERGETICS: Moderately heating and drying. Horehound has opening properties as well as cleansing, dissolvent and diluting properties.
MERIDIANS/ ORGANS: The lungs, throat, bronchi and respiratory tract; the blood; the liver, stomach and spleen, as well as the hepatobiliary system.
PLANETS: Ruled by Earth and Mercury, governing the throat, lungs and respiratory tract
CHAKRA: Throat chakra
SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES: Horehound increases your concentration, focus and mental skills needed to keep distraction at bay and the ability to integrate the mind and body into the realm of the spiritual. It was once considered the “anti-magic” herb and was revered for its ability to repel witches as well as break the power of spells.
HUMORAL DYNAMICS:
- Sanguine – lowers sugar levels in the Blood; vitalizes the Blood and boosts immunity.
- Phlegmatic – dissolves phlegm and mucus in the lungs and respiratory tract with its aromatic properties; improves fluid metabolism and acts as a mild diuretic.
- Choleric / Melancholic – removes obstructions from the liver and spleen, improves the flow of bile and stimulates the appetite and digestion.

Contradictions

Heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels affected by large doses
May act as a diuretic at high doses or a purgative at very high doses
Avoid during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Diabetes mellitus patients on allopathic medication to lower blood sugar should avoid
Drug-Herb Interactions are rare

History

White horehound is a perennial aromatic herb native to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia, now naturalized in North America
The common name is derived from the old English har hune, meaning “downy plant.”
The Romans esteemed Horehound for its medicinal properties, and its Latin name of Marrubium is said to be derived from Maria urbs, an ancient town of Italy. Other authors derive its name from the Hebrew marrob (a bitter juice), and state that it was one of the bitter herbs which the Jews were ordered to take for the Feast of Passover.
Among Egyptian Priests, Horehound can be found referred to as Seeds of Horus, Bull’s Blood, and the Eye of the Star. Among these cultures it was often attributed with anti venom properties, and was thought to be a powerful aid against poisons, serpent stings, and even the “Mad dog’s biting” which one can assume to be Rabies.
In addition to its uses in coughs and colds, to 'those that have drunk poison or have been bitten by serpents and it was also administered for 'mad dogs biting'.
According to Columella, Horehound is a serviceable remedy against Cankerworm in trees, and it is stated that if it be put into new milk and set in a place pestered with flies, it will speedily kill them all.
Sometimes used to flavor herb beer or liqueurs
it was known to be carried by sorcerers as a replant of spells and if placed in a bowl of water, it supposedly releases healing vibrations and should be placed in the bedroom of an ill person.
Horehound is an important bee herb but is also used as a natural repellent against grasshoppers, making it an excellent companion plant for tomatoes.

Common Names

Horehound, hoarhound and white horehound, Woolly Horehound, Houndsbane, Soldier's Tea, and Bonhomme, Seeds of Horus, Bull’s Blood, and the Eye of the Star

Botanical Name

Marrubium vulgare L.

Family

Lamiaceae (Dead Nettle) or Labiatae

Parts Used

Fresh or dried, aboveground parts of leaves and flowering tops

Therapeutic Actions

analgesic

anti-arrhythmic

pro-arrhythmic (in large doses)

anti-asthmatic

anti-bacterial

anti-diabetic

anti-emetic

anti-hypertensive

anti-microbial

anti-oedematous

anti-oxidant

anti-parasitic

anti-septic

anti-spasmodic

anti-tussive

bitter tonic

catarrh

cholagogue

choleretic

diaphoretic

digestive

diuretic

demulcent

expectorant

emmenagogue

hepatoprotective

hypoglycemic

immunomodulator

laxative

pectoral

purgative (in large doses)

relaxant

stomachic

sedative

stimulant

tonic

vermifuge

vasodilator

vasorelaxant

Horehound(Black)_2013_08_26_Southport_Ma

Proper Use

4.5 g per day of cut herb, freshly expressed plant juice and other equivalent galenical preparations for internal use.

Dried herb: 4.5 g.
Succus: 2-6 tablespoons fresh pressed juice.
Infusion: Steep 1.5 g in 150-250 ml boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, three times daily
Fluid extract 1:1 (g/ml): 1.5 ml, three times daily.
Syrup: 2-4 ml
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 7.5 ml, three times daily.

Best prepared by steeping about two and a half tsp. of the fresh or dried herb in a pint of boiling water. The herb must be allowed to infuse into the water for forty-five minutes after it has been removed from the stove. It must then be strained and consumed in a lukewarm state, after flavoring it with a squeeze of lemon juice and sweetened using a small amount of blackstrap molasses, but not sugar.

Formulary

COUGH DROPS

1/2 cup fresh white horehound leaves
1/2 teaspoon of crushed aniseed
3 crushed cardamom seeds
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups moist brown sugar

Put the horehound, aniseed, and cardamom into 2 cups of purified water and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain through a filter. Over a low heat, dissolve the sugars in the liquid; boil over a medium heat until the syrup hardens when drops are put into cold water. Pour into an oiled tray. Score when partially cooled. Break up and store in wax paper.

Horehound is sometimes combined with Hyssop, Rue, Licorice root and Marshmallow root, 1/2 oz. of each boiled in 2 pints of water, to 1.5 pints, strained and given in 4 oz. doses, every two to three hours.
Taken in large doses, it acts as a gentle purgative.
The powdered leaves have also been employed as a vermifuge and the green leaves, bruised and boiled in lard, are made into an ointment good for the treatment of wounds.
For the ordinary cold, a simple infusion of Horehound (Horehound Tea) is effective. The tea may be made by pouring boiling water on the fresh or dried leaves, 1 oz. of the herb to the pint. One glass may be taken three or four times a day.
Candied Horehound is best made from the fresh plant by boiling it down until the juice is extracted, then adding sugar before boiling again, until it has become thick enough in consistency to pour into a paper case and be cut into squares when cool or into a candy mould.
Two or three teaspoons of the expressed juice of the herb may also be given as a dose in severe colds.
The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Plantago lanceolata or P. major
Use with Peppermint (Mentha piperita) in teas and lozenges to treat a sore throat, as well to stimulate the stomach, appetite and digestion; the hot infusion can also be used to break fevers.
Use with Wild Thyme / Mother of Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) as an aromatic pectoral to dissolve phlegm and open up congested respiratory passages; this combo also has a beneficial effect on the liver, digestion and bile flow.
With Yarrow (Achillea milfolium) as a bitter tonic to treat indigestion, a poor appetite, and a congested liver; this combo is also useful in treating menstrual disorders.
With Sage (Salvia officinalis) to treat hoarseness and sore throat, and also as a bitter tonic to treat indigestion and liver complaints.
Horehound extract, when mixed with honey, can strengthen eyesight.
A poultice made from Horehound with salt can be used to treat rabies from a dog bite

Cultivation

Horehound have a curious, musky smell, which is diminished by drying.
Horehound flowers from June to September.
White Horehound is a hardy plant, easily grown, and flourishes best in a dry, poor soil. It can be propagated from seeds sown in spring, cuttings, or by dividing the roots (the most usual method). If raised from seed, the seedlings should be planted out in the spring, in rows, with a space of about 9 inches or more between each plant. No further culture will be needed than weeding. It does not blossom until it is two years old.
Marrubium vulgare is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender.
The seeds ripen from August to October.
The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Another report says that the plant flourishes best where there is plenty of nitrogen in the soil. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil conditions and requires a warm sunny position.
If the plant is cut back after flowering it will normally produce a second crop of leaves.
Horehound is a good bee plant.
White horehound is also a good companion plant for growing near tomatoes. The tomatoes crop for a longer period and also produce a heavier crop.

Propagation

Seed - sow April/May or August/September in a cold frame. Germination can be slow and erratic.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the following spring.
Basal cuttings in late spring.
Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground.
Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well.
Plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.
Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Research & References

Amri, B., Martino, E., Vitulo, F., Corana, F., Kaâb, L. B., Rui, M., Rossi, D., Mori, M., Rossi, S., & Collina, S. (2017). Marrubium vulgare L. Leave Extract: Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Wound Healing Properties. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(11), 1851. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22111851

Boon Heather, Smith Michael. (2009). 55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs: The Complete Natural Medicine Guide. Second Edition Institute of Naturopathic Education and Research, CCNM Toronto.

Brinker Francis. (1997). Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions: Plus Herbal Adjuncts With Medicines, 4th Edition. Eclectic Medical Publications.

Godfrey Anthony, Saunders Paul, Barlow Kerry, Gowan Matt. (2011). Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Botanical Medicine, Advanced Botanical Medicine. V3 CCNM Press, Toronto.

Lodhi, Santram & Vadnere, Gautam & Sharma, Vimal & Md. Usman,. (2017). Marrubium vulgare L.: A review on phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. 6. 429. 10.5455/jice.20170713060840.

Masoodi MH, Ahmed B, Zagar IM, Khan SA, Khan S, Singh P. (2008). Antibacterial activity of whole plant extract of Marrubium vulgare. African J Biotech 2008;7:86-7.

Rodríguez Villanueva, J., Martín Esteban, J., & Rodríguez Villanueva, L. (2017). A Reassessment of the Marrubium Vulgare L. Herb's Potential Role in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: First Results Guide the Investigation toward New Horizons. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 4(3), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4030057

Stargrove Mitchell Bebell, Treasure Jonathan, McKee Dwight L. (2008). Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies.

Yamaguchi K, Liggett JL, Kim NC, Baek SJ. Anti-proliferative effect of horehound leaf and wild cherry bark extracts on human colorectal cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2006;15:275-81.