MARRUBIUM
VULGARE
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HOREHOUND (White)
The syrup of horehound is excellent for cold rheums in the lungs of old
people, and for those who are asthmatical or short-winded.
Common Horehound has square hairy stalks about two feet (60 cm) high with crumpled leaves
and small white flowers.
Where to find it: Roadsides and dry waste places.
Flowering time: Midsummer.
Astrology: A herb of Mercury.
Medicinal virtues: A decoction of the dried herb, with the seed, or the juice of
the fresh herb taken with honey, is a good remedy for a cough, or for consumption. Taken
with the roots, it helps to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest. It is given to women
to bring down their courses, to expel the afterbirth and also to people who have taken
poison. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running and creeping sores,
and help pains in the sides. The juice, with wine and honey, helps to clear the eyesight
and, snuffed up the nostrils, it purges away the yellow jaundice. Combined with Oil of
Roses, and dropped into the ears, it eases the pains in them.
It opens obstructions of the liver and spleen and is used outwardly to cleanse the chest
and lungs. A decoction is available for those with hard livers or who have the itch or
running tetters. The powder, or decoction, kills worms.
Modern uses: A valuable herb in modern practice, Horehound is a pectoral tonic
mainly used for its expectorant properties. For coughs it is usually combined with other
agents such as Colt's Foot, Marsh Mallow and Ground-Ivy, in various proportions
Syrup of Horehound is still widely used for chills, asthma and other lung conditions and
is an ingredient of many over-the-counter medicines. The syrup is made by adding honey or
sugar to a strong infusion. An ordinary infusion of the whole herb is made by adding
1 oz
(28 g) of the dried herb to 1 Pt (568 ml) of boiling water and infusing for 20 minutes.
The dose is 2 fl oz (56 mi) three or four times a day.
Taken hot, Horehound induces perspiration and helps to reduce temperature in mild
fevers. In large doses it acts as a laxative. It is a suitable herb to give to children
with coughs. |