The information below is not medical advice. I am not a medical professional; I am studying to be a clinical herbalist. Herbalists do not diagnose or treat disease. Please use common sense whenever learning about herbs and always check with a medical professional before taking any herb.
The following Materia Medica is from my own personal herbal reference journal and the information is taken from a variety of sources. All sources have been linked below the article for you to do your own research!
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare (Muh-rROO-bee-uhm Vuhl-gare)
IN THE GARDEN: Horehound is a part of the mint family and is native to Europe.
She may be found in temperate zones in North America and grows in dry, sandy soil. She has a square, woody stem and is covered in white, downy hairs and has a fibrous root system. Typically she grows 1-2’ in height.
Her leaves are wrinkled, opposite, oval and crenate (round toothed) with surface veins and hairs. She produces small, white flowers in tight bunches. Harvest the leaves and flowers tops before flowers open in June and September.
SAFETY: Avoid in pregnancy due to Emmenagogue effects. Hypertension may occur with chronic use.
THE FINE PRINT: Stimulating Expectorant, Relaxing Diaphoretic, Stimulating Bitter, Emmenagogue, Stomachic, Choleretic, Decongestant, and Anti-Spasmotic
ENERGETICS: Bitter, Pungent, Cooling // -Kapha & Pitta, +Vata // Drying, Stimulating. Organs affected: Chest and Lungs. Liver secondary.
THE SCIENCE: Bitter Principles, Caffeic Acid Derivatives, Flavonoids (chrysoerol), Volatile OIls (camphene, Fenchene), Alkaloids, Choline, Vitamin C.
The Bitter Principles stimulate gastric juices with Marrubinic Acid acting Choleretic.
Her Volatile oils are also antimicrobial and hypotensive.
Flavanoids are anti-inflammatory.
T-Tannins help to tighten and tone mucous membranes.
DOSAGE: Warm Infusion (for diaphoresis) – 1-2 tsp per cup of water.
Cold Infusion (digestive/pulmonary complaints) – 1-2 tsp per cup of water. Cold infusion is best alone, warm infusion is best when combined with other herbs.
Syrup or Tincture best for respiratory conditions. 1:1 fresh + dry Liquid Extract: 1-30 drops prior to meals for bitter effect.
USES:
Damp Coughs: Horehound is a stimulant expectorant and is therefore used to stimulate a depressed respiratory system, or in other words, it irritates the tissue into activity.
She definitely works best in a cough that is cold and damp, or in a cough where there is mucus or excessive discharge, but an unproductive cough to go along with it. Through irritating the tissues, horehound will help to break up and expel mucous by activating the cough reflex.
Use when mucous membranes are hot and moist or cold and moist, but not when there is any dryness. Often physical symptoms will be debility and lack of strength, as well as little to no coughing, yet with excessive moisture in the lungs.
Sweat out a Fever: Horehound is a diaphoretic which works to promote blood flow towards the surface of the skin.
Sweating out a fever is indicated during initial acute fever, but not once you are a few days into a sickness.
You could also use with other immune-boosting diaphoretic herbs like yarrow, ginger or elder (must use in a warm infusion for diaphoretic properties).
Clear Congestion: Since Marrubium helps create productive coughs, it naturally starts clearing congestion as well. It also seems to have an affinity for both the upper and lower respiratory tract, meaning that it can help clear congestion out of the sinuses too.
At the First Sign of a Cold: Dorothy Hall says that Marrubium is indicated when you first feel that tickle in the back of your throat that a cold or cough is coming on.
As soreness begins to develop in the throat, using horehound will increase mucus production and prevent congestion from building up. Best taken as a syrup or oxymel with other herbs at the beginning of flu season.
Liver Conditions: Horehound carries a secondary affinity for the liver.
Horehound is used to address seemingly acute symptoms connected to an underlying condition. Chronic LIver Congestion can present with hypertension, headaches, acid reflux, weight changes, and digestive issues.
Horehound can increase bile flow and a warm infusion can be used for Jaundice.
Bronchitis and Whooping Cough: Traditionally used for both of these conditions. See “damp Coughs” above for more information.
REFERENCES:
https://www.rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/white_horehound.html
http://docshare02.docshare.tips/files/21346/213462978.pdf
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Respiratory-System.pdf
https://www.medicinetraditions.com/marrubium-horehound-free.html
https://www.pharmabotanica.com.au/herb/horehound/July 25, 2020
