HERBS: HOREHOUND
Marrubium vulgare
Action: Expectorant, pectoral, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, stomachic,
cholagogue, hepatic tonic, diuretic, laxative.
Systems Affected: Lungs, heart, stomach, liver, gall-bladder, uterus.
Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried leaves and flowering tops, dose
1-2 grams by infusion.
There are two horehounds, White or Common Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and
Black Horehound (Ballota nigra). Although they have some properties in
common, the former is used mainly for coughs and lung complaints, the latter
for relieving nausea and vomiting.
White Horehound, which is the one of concern here, is a woody perennial
growing 30 to 60 centimeters in height. Similar in appearance to the white
dead-nettle and mint, the plant has a woolly or felt-like texture. Native to
Europe and Asia, it is introduced elsewhere, often widespread as a weed in
pasture and wasteland.
Horehound has been used as a cough remedy since the time of the ancient
Egyptians and is a part of many commercial cough mixtures today. It is
probably the most popular of herbal remedies for the respiratory system. It
is renowned for its expectorant and pectoral qualities in expelling phlegm
and toning the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Horehound is a specific remedy for acute or chronic bronchitis and coughs,
and is valuable in treating asthma, chronic catarrh, chest colds or any
chronic pulmonary complaint attended by coughing and copious expectoration.
Horehound stimulates the appetite and promotes the flow of bile. It is of
benefit in liver and gall-bladder disorders and acts as a stomach tonic.
As an emmenagogue it will regulate the flow in cases of abnormal absence or
suppression of menstruation. Possessing some weak sedative action, it is
sometimes used in conj unction with other herbs for treating nervous
palpitations.
In large doses the herb is diuretic and laxative; in small doses it is
tonic. According to the French herbalist Jean Palaiseul the traditional
advice was that Horehound 'should be taken only in moderation for it can
bring about a considerable loss of weight', whereas today, by contrast, it
is prescribed (one liter of the infusion per day) for obesity.
Externally it is applied for its antiseptic properties to minor cuts and
skin problems. Gypsies in Britain wash their skin with Horehound water to
repel flies and insects. Freshly-gathered sprays of the plant were once put
in dairies and pantries for the same purpose.
Horehound is extremely bitter: together with Coriander, Chicory, Nettle and
Horseradish, it is one of the five 'bitter herbs' eaten by Jews at their
Passover feast to commemorate the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
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HERBAL