Horehound
(also referred to as...)
Hoarhound, White Horehound
Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare
Family: Labiatae, Lamiaceae
Description
Horehound was first used as a cough remedy in ancient Egyptian times. It can be found in most European pharmacopoeias as an expectorant. The name marrubium meaning bitter and the common name horehound comes from harhune which is Old English for "hairy". The most popular way of taking horehound today is in the form of candy which is sucked to relieve chesty coughs and bronchitis.
Horehound is an aromatic woody perennial with downy stems and ovate downy gray-green leaves up to 5cm long with have toothed edges. Small off-white hairy flowers appear in summer. It is native to Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia and is now widely distributed all over the world. A popular domestic remedy. Prefers well-drained to neutral soil in the sun.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Horehound is a mild stimulating expectorant. It is useful for acute bronchitis, asthma, non-productive coughs, congestion of the respiratory tract.
It has anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties and can also be used to treat digestion. Useful for dyspepsia, gall bladder and stomach disorders.
Horehound can be used externally for eczema and shingles as a poultice or fomentation
Source
Aerial portions of plant
Horehound, Closeup
Preparations Dried Herb: Take 1 to 2g three times daily in pill or capsule form.
Infusions: Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried herb to one cup hot water. Take 3 times daily.
Tincture: Take 20 to 40 drops three times daily.
Syrup: Usual addition to cough syrups. Follow basic syrup recipe under Preparations in the Herb Introduction.
Poultice/Fomentation: Follow general instructions using fresh/dried herb and apply as needed.
Other Uses: Commercially used in cough candies and cough syrups.
Horehound may be combined with coltsfoot, lobelia, and wild cherry to treat coughs. Combine with elecampane for respiratory ailments.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
May act as a laxative in large doses.
Ailment / Situation Listing
| Anti-Inflammatory | Anti-Microbial | Anti-Spasmodic |
| Asthma | Bronchitis | Cholagogue |
| Congestion of Respiratory Tract | Coughs | Dyspepsia |
| Eczema | Expectorant | Gall Bladder Disorders |
| Shingles | Stomach Disorders | |
All information contained on this website is for reference purposes only and all content should be treated as a resource. It is highly recommended that you consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner when undertaking self-treatment. For serious conditions, always seek the advice of your naturopath or other health practitioner. People taking medication should
consult with their naturopath or other health practitioner before undertaking additional regime for their ailment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the information contained on this website. However, errors in copy may occur. You are advised to consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner
when applying the information contained on this website.
The MBR Team is not responsible or liable for any personal injury or related effects from applying the information contained on this website.
By browsing / printing any and all My Best Remedies articles / pages, you agree to the statements above.
