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Horehound
Description:
Horehound is a perennial herb native to Europe and found in waste places of North America. It prefers a sunny location, growing on dry, sandy fields, waste places, and roadsides. The herb is also cultivated in gardens. Horehound has a hollow, hairy stem, 18 inches in height. It bears dark, green, opposite, ovate leaves that are wrinkled and hairy. Small, white flowers grow in axillary whorls in the leaf axils, blooming from June to August. The seeds grow at the bottom of the calyx.
Properties & Uses:
Aromatic - an agent with an agreeable odor and other stimulating qualities.
Diaphoretic - an agent which increases perspiration
Diuretic - Diuretics form a class of drugs which increase the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. It can be used effectively to treat mild cases of edema when kidney function is good and when the underlying abnormality of cardiac function, capillary pressure, or salt retention is being corrected simultaneously. Diuretics are not an appropriate treatment for edema caused by inflammation of the kidneys, and are useless in cardiac edema associated with advanced kidney insufficiency. There are a variety of diuretics with different modes of action. Among the diuretics are spironolactones, triamterene, and theobromine.
Emmenagogue - an agent which stimulates menstrual flow.
Expectorant - an agent which stimulates the outflow of mucus from the lungs and bronchials.
Hepatic - an agent that affects the liver.
Pectoral - an agent which relieves chest conditions such as a cough.
Stimulant - an agent that temporarily increases the activity or physiological processes. Stimulants may be classified according to the organ upon which they act; for example, an intestinal stimulant is that which stimulates the intestines.
Stomachic - a substance which excites, strengthens, and tones the stomach.
Tonic - an agent which strengthens or tones.
Horehound is excellent for coughs, croups, colds, and pulmonary problems such as bronchial congestion. It promotes the healing of wounds and stimulates bile secretions; a warm infusion will promote the flow of blood. It acts as a tonic to the respiratory organs and to the stomach, but in large doses can act as a laxative. It has been recommended to promote delayed menstruation and, with topical applications, as an aid in herpes simplex eruptions, eczema, and shingles.
It contains 0.3 to 1% of a bitter principle called marrubiin. It also contains tannins, pectic substances, saponin, resin, and other constituents. The volatile oil is supposed to enlarge blood vessels and eliminate mucus from the upper respiratory tract.
It contains 0.3 to 1% of a bitter principle called marrubiin. It also contains tannins, pectic substances, saponin, resin, and other constituents. The volatile oil is supposed to enlarge blood vessels and eliminate mucus from the upper respiratory tract.
It has been used in France as a hot tea to produce an abortion in the first few months. Horehound is antibacterial, and has demonstrated definite antitumor activity.
Toxicity Levels:
Horehound contains marrubiin which has strong choleretic activity. It has a normalizing effect on extra-systolic arrhythmias, but in large doses disturbs the heart rhythm. The volatile oil of this plant has vasodilative effects. Consequently, it may be contraindicated by hops, which is a strong vasopressant.
Serotonin is present in relatively high concentrations in some parts of the central nervous system such as the hypothalamus gland and the basal ganglia. Serotonin inhibits gastric secretion, stimulates smooth muscle, and causes a narrowing of blood vessels. Horehound components can interfere with any of these performances. For this reason, horehound may be detrimental to those with low blood pressure.
Recommended Dietary Allowances:
For adults, the German Commission E monograph recommends approximately 3/4 teaspoon (4.5 grams) of horehound per day or 2–6 tablespoons (30–90 ml) of the pressed juice.5 Alternatively, horehound tea can be prepared from approximately 1/4–1/2 teaspoon (1–2 grams) of root boiled in about 7 ounces (200 ml) of water for ten minutes. Three cups (750 ml) of this tea can be drunk per day. Horehound is sometimes found in herbal lozenges that are used for coughs.
Food Sources:
Horehound is a perennial plant with small white flowers found growing in the wild throughout Europe and Asia. All parts of the plant are used medicinally.
Side Effects & Interactions:
Since horehound acts as a bitter and may increase production of stomach acid, people with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease should use it cautiously. Horehound should not be used during pregnancy, as it may stimulate contractions.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with horehound.
References:
1. Wren RC. Potter’s New Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, England: C.W. Daniel Co., 1988, 146.
2. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991, 216–7.
3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 303.
4. Bradley PR. British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Great Britain: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1990, 218–9.
5. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 127–8.