May 31, 2002

HOREHOUND

Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare

Alternate Names: White Horehound

Family: LAMIACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Bitter Tonic, Cholagogue, Demulcent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant.

Internal Uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Colds, Cough, Croup, Laryngitis, Paratyphoid, Sore Throat, Tachycardia, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Whooping Cough, Worms

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules, Syrup, Lozenges.

The essential oils in Horehound help dilate the arteries and relieve lung congestion. The extreme bitterness helps drive away worms. Horehound increases circulation to the lungs, expels mucus, and cools infection.

Topical Uses: Dog Bites, Eczema, Shingles, Wounds

Topical Applications: Made into an oil for applying to wounds. Compress for wounds, eczema, shingles and dog bites.

Culinary uses: Candy, Liqueurs, Ales.

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (pinene, limonene, camphene), diterpene alcohols (marrubinol, marruciol, silareol), sterols, saponins, bitter lactone, alkaloids (betonicine, stachydine), tannin, mucilage, bitter principle (marrubin), vitamin C.

Contraindications: Large doses may be a laxative.

Comments: The genus name, Marrubium, is thought to be derived from marrob, the Hebrew word for 'bitter juice'. It is believed that Horehound was one of the original bitter herbs of the Jewish Passover tradition. The common name, Horehound, is from the old English, har hune, meaning 'downy plant'.

Horehound was used by Navaho Indians to help a woman through childbirth.

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), May 31, 2002

Answers

Here's a pic:

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), May 31, 2002.