Horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) – Dried Herb, Organic

Commonly known as White Horehound and historically know as Houndsbane, Eye of the Star, Seed of Horus and Bull’s Blood, is a hardy flowering perennial herb that flourishes in a dry and poor soil. Horehound has green and white leaves that are covered with hairs that give them a wooly appearance and white flower. The leaves have a musky smell, which is diminished by drying. Horehound flowers from July to September when the plant is two years old and is pollinated by honeybees. Horehound is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) which includes Mint, Thyme and Sage.

This plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia and has been naturalized throughout most of North and South America. Egyptian priests referred to Horehound as the “Seed of Horus”, which some speculate is where its modern name came from. Horehound was one of the herbs in the medicine chests of the Egyptian pharaohs. The generic name may have also been derived from the Hebrew word “marrob”, meaning bitter juice. Horehound was recorded as one of the “bitter herbs” eaten at Passover.

Horehound is one of the oldest known cough remedies and has a long history of traditional use in European folk herbalism. In medieval Europe, it was known as a magic herb for protection against the spells attributed to witches. In the seventeenth century Nicholas Culpeper, an English herbalist and astrologer, called Horehound a herb of Mercury, with the planet governing the throat, lungs and respiratory tract. Galen a physician in ancient Rome said that Horehound is useful for removing obstructions from the liver and spleen. For children’s coughs, croup and as a tonic for the stomach, Horehound was traditionally made in the form of syrup, which made the plant much more pleasant to take. The powdered leaves had been traditionally used as a vermifuge and the green leaves, bruised and boiled in lard, were made into an ointment for wounds.

Properties

The taste and energetics of Horehound are bitter, cooling, slightly astringent and a soothing demulcent. Horehound has an affinity to the respiratory system, digestive system, liver, gallbladder. For a lung tonic combine Horehound with Licorice Root, Marshmallow Root, Elecampane root or Hyssop. For a digestive bitter combine Horehound with Artichoke Leaf, Angelica Root, Wormwood or Gentian Root.

How to use:

1 teaspoon of Horehound to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes, strain and drink up to three cups a day.

Cautions & contraindications:

Taking White Horehound along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to lower too much.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. Please consult your health care provider before the use of this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.