Marrubium vulgare
Part Used: Dried leaf & flowering tops
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is an aromatic old world perennial herb, native to Europe having square stems, opposite leaves with white pubescence, and numerous white flowers in axillary cymes that grows in most areas of the United States. It can grow to a height of 24-36 inches with a width of 20 inches. The plant is bushy, producing numerous annual, quadrangular and branching stems, a foot or more in height, on which the whitish flowers are borne in crowded, axillary, woolly whorls. The chief active constituent is a bitter principle known as Marrubium, with a little volatile oil, resin, tannin, wax, fat, sugar, etc. Horehound has long been noted for its efficacy in lung troubles and coughs. The name Horehound" is derived from "Horus", the Egyptian god of sky and light.
Horehound has been used for asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, indigestion, flatulence, and painful menstruation. It can be used externally to speed the healing of wounds. It has medicinal properties like expectorant, anti-spasmodic, bitter, vulnerary, emmenagogue, pectoral, aromatic, diaphoretic, tonic, diuretic, hepatic, stimulant, etc. Horehound is valuable in the treatment of bronchitis where there is a non-productive cough. It combines the action of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus whilst promoting mucus production and thus expectoration. It is used in the treatment of whooping cough. The bitter action stimulates the flow and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, aiding digestion. Horehound is used externally to promote the healing of wounds.
Preparations of Horehound are still largely used as expectorants and tonics. It may, indeed, be considered one of the most popular pectoral remedies, being given with benefit for chronic cough, asthma, and some cases of consumption. It is used in children's cough remedies, as it is a gentle but effective expectorant. It acts as a tonic for the respiratory system and stomach. In large doses it acts as a laxative. It is often made into lozenges for treating coughs and sore throats. The dried leaves and flower tops were used in making Horehound candy and remedies for coughs and colds.
References:
Holistic Online. http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h246.htm
Botanilca.Com. http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/horwhi33.html
