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 Marrubium vulgare (Labiatae)
WHITE HOREHOUND, HOARHOUND
The whole herb has been given for
coughs, catarrhal colds, and bronchitis. It is also one of the bitter herbs
eaten at Passover and is given by herbalists for poor indigestion.
One of the oldest and most reliable cough remedies known,
white horehound has been used since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs.
It is also reputed to be an antidote to various poisons. Native to Europe, where is it widely found on roadsides and waste places,
it is a perennial with hairy square stems and oval, wrinkled, leathery leaves.
Small white flowers appear in summer and give way to an urn-shaped receptacle containing tightly packed seeds.
PARTS USED
Whole herb, collected during
flowering.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Diterpene lactone, marrubiin; diterpene alcohols, including marrubiol;
volatile oil containing alpha-pinene, sabine, camphene, and p-cymol; alkaloids; tannins.
ACTIONS
Stimulating expectorant; bitter tonic; antiseptic; circulatory stimulant; increases the
flow of bile.
MEDICINAL USE
Given for catarrhal colds, bronchitis, whooping cough, and poor digestion.
PREPARATIONS
Infusion, tincture.
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