White Horehound, Horehound

Marrubium vulgare

Physical Characteristics

Marrubium vulgare is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to November, and 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: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa, the Azores, central and western Asia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment Tea The leaves are used as a seasoning[27]. Bitter and pungent, they are sometimes used to flavour herb beer or liqueurs[4, 183]. Horehound ale is a fairly well-known drink made from the leaves[4, 238]. A mild pleasantly flavoured tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[183], it is a favourite cough remedy[4, 46].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antidote Antiflatulent Antiseptic Antispasmodic Appetizer Cholagogue Diaphoretic Digestive Diuretic Emmenagogue Expectorant Hepatic Stimulant TB Tonic White horehound is a well-known and popular herbal medicine that is often used as a domestic remedy for coughs, colds, wheeziness etc[4, 254]. The herb apparently causes the secretion of a more fluid mucous, readily cleared by coughing[254]. The leaves and young flowering stems are antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, strongly expectorant, hepatic, stimulant and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 165, 238]. Horehound is a very valuable pectoral, expectorant and tonic that can be safely used by children as well as adults[4]. It is often made into a syrup or candy in order to disguise its very bitter flavour, though it can also be taken as a tea[4]. As a bitter tonic, it increases the appetite and supports the function of the stomach[254]. It can also act to normalize heart rhythm[254]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Plantago lanceolata or P. major[207]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Marrubium vulgare for dyspepsia, loss of appetite (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Known Hazards

Heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels affected by large doses. Avoid during pregnancy and breast feeding. Diabetes mellitus patients on allopathic medication to lower blood sugar should avoid [301].