Introduction of Horehound:hoarhound or white horehound.
✵The article gives records of the herb Horehound, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Marrubium vulgare., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Horehound, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Horehound(white horehound).
English Name: Horehound.
Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare(Tourn.)L.
Common Names: common horehound, hoarhound, houndsbane, marrubium, marvel, white horehound.
Property and flavor: cool in nature, the leaves has a tangy smell, it tastes bitter and hot.
Brief introduction: Marrubium vulgare is a perennial flowering plant, it grows in many parts of the world, including Europe and North America. The leaves are dried, and the flowering tops and the dense whorls of white flowers, are picked to prepare medicinal remedies. Traditionally, the herb horehound was used as a popular remedy for cough and cold since ancient Roman times.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Horehound as the dried flowering branches, the fresh above-ground parts of the flowering plant, and the whole plant of the species (1).Marrubium vulgare. It is a plant species of the Marrubium genus, the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family). The above-ground parts are used medicinally. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Marrubium vulgare.
Botanical description: Marrubium vulgare is a perennial herb; The plant grows as high as 40 cm; Stems are densely prostrate villous, the base is woody; Leaves are oval or round, 2~3.5 cm long, the apex is obtuse or nearly round, the base is broadly cuneate or round, with thick serrations, the upper surface is wrinkled, sparsely pilose, and densely strigose villous on the back surface; the petiole is 0.7~1.5 cm long;
Inflorescences are axillary, many-flowered, densely globose, 1.5~2.3 cm in diameter; Bracts are subulate, nearly as long as calyx tube, reflexed; Calyx is 10-veined, calyx teeth 10, 5 calyx teeth are longer, the apex is hooked; Corolla is white, about 9 mm long, the crown tube is about 6 mm long, densely pubescent, inner surface has a hairy ring, the upper lip is 2-lobed, middle lobe of the lower lip is kidney-shaped, the apex is wavy and 2-lobed; Nut has trailing point; Its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September;
The "hound" stems from the herb's reported use by ancient Greeks to treat the mad-dog bite, and the "hore" is a variant form of "hoar", derives from the downy whitish hairs that lend the plant a hoary appearance.
Ecological environment: The plant is native to the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. It has become established in Central Europe, introduced to America, South Africa, and Australia, it grows in Xinjiang of China. The plant grows on the roadside, ditch side.
Growth characteristics: The plant grows in dry gray soil.
Characters of herbs: Horehound herb is the fresh or dried, above-ground parts of Marrubium vulgare as well as their preparations. The plant is harvested during the following season from June to August, fast drying.
Pharmacological actions: ①.expectorant and cough suppressant; ②.encourage the flow of biles; ③.vessel-expanding effects; ④.blood sugar lowering;etc.
Horehound has an expectorant and cough suppressant effect, its expectorant actions are identified mainly from a volatile oil, marrubiin and its precursor, premarrubiin. Rat experiments showed a derivative of marrubiin, marrubiinic acid encourages the flow of bile, which explains horehound's traditional use in aiding digestion, marrubiin and premarrubiin are bitters and could stimulate the appetite by increasing the flow of saliva and gastric juice. The volatile oil has vessel-expanding or vasodilator effects in animal studies, indicating its potential for lowering blood pressure. Horehound showed blood sugar lowering effects in rabbit experiments, indicating it has an antidiabetic action.
Medicinal efficacy: Traditionally, the herb horehound was used as a popular remedy for cough and cold since ancient Roman times. In USA(the United States of America), syrup and lozenges were used for coughs, colds, and other minor respiratory ailments. It is a member of the mint family and has a fragrance reminiscent of apples, favored by users, so it is also added to candies, many foods, and alcoholic drinks. The herb was used for centuries for digestive problems, appetite loss, tuberculosis, sore throat, asthma, cancer, malaria, to induce perspiration and urination, to dispel intestinal parasites, and promote menstruation. In Europe, the herb is approved for dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite.
Administration of Horehound (white horehound):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Horehound (white horehound)
Herbal classic books:
Dosage: An infusion is made using 1 and a half teaspoons, about 1.5 grams of fresh chopped herb per cup of water is drunk several times a day, other forms are recommended, liquid extract in a dose of 2 to 4 ml, the powdered herb in the dose of 1 to 2 grams, herb syrup in the dose of 2 to 4 ml. The infusion dosage is 1 to 2 grams, taken up to 3 times daily. The average daily dose is 4.5 grams of the herb, and 30 to 60 ml of pressed juice.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: The herb horehound is safe to use in the typically recommended dosage, 5 cups of horehound tea daily does not cause any worrisome side effects. But very large doses of horehound may cause abnormal heart rhythms, individuals with heart problems should avoid the herb. Large doses are purgative or strongly laxative. The herb should not be used during pregnancy.
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1.Introduction of Horehound:hoarhound or white horehound.
✵The article gives records of the herb Horehound, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Marrubium vulgare., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Horehound, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
English Name: Horehound.
Botanical description: Marrubium vulgare is a perennial herb; The plant grows as high as 40 cm; Stems are densely prostrate villous, the base is woody; Leaves are oval or round, 2~3.5 cm long, the apex is obtuse or nearly round, the base is broadly cuneate or round, with thick serrations, the upper surface is wrinkled, sparsely pilose, and densely strigose villous on the back surface; the petiole is 0.7~1.5 cm long;
The "hound" stems from the herb's reported use by ancient Greeks to treat the mad-dog bite, and the "hore" is a variant form of "hoar", derives from the downy whitish hairs that lend the plant a hoary appearance.
Characters of herbs: Horehound herb is the fresh or dried, above-ground parts of Marrubium vulgare as well as their preparations. The plant is harvested during the following season from June to August, fast drying.
Pharmacological actions: ①.expectorant and cough suppressant; ②.encourage the flow of biles; ③.vessel-expanding effects; ④.blood sugar lowering;etc.
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