Herb of the Day
Horehound
Its Latin name is thought to have come from the Romans who named it after an ancient town, but it may also have derived from the Hebrew “marrob”, meaning bitter herb, as it is still eaten during Passover.
Medicinal Uses: Horehound is used in children’s cough remedies, as it is a gentle but effective expectorant.
It acts as a tonic for the respiratory system and stomach.
Horehound has long been used to treat respiratory infections, including colds and asthma, and to help heal the membranes. Horehound is valuable in the treatment of bronchitis where there is a non-productive cough. It combines the action of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus whilst promoting mucus production and thus expectoration. Because of the bitterness of the herb, it is used mainly in the form of a syrup.
As a bitter tonic, horehound can be made into decoctions, infusions, and tinctures to increase the appetite and support the function of the stomach. It is most beneficial in influenza cases where the patient has lost the desire to eat. It is used to treat liver and gallbladder complaints, dyspepsia, appetite loss, and intestinal worms. It is also used to normalize heart rhythm and improve regularity.
Externally, infusions and decoctions help heal skin conditions. Horehound is also used externally to promote the healing of wounds.
Horehound has also been used in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics as it as an alternative effect on the menstrual cycle, as well as expelling the placenta after birth. This is achieved by taking a strong infusion or decoction immediately after the birth. Black horehound is not used as much today as its medicinal effect is inferior to horehound, but it can still be substituted for horehound when nothing else is available. It is perhaps the most useful when nausea stems from disorders of the inner ear as opposed to those of the digestive system.
In large doses it acts as a laxative. To use as an expectorant or cough soothing medication, take 1 teaspoon of Horehound leaves and pour 1 cup of boiling water over them. Keep covered and take 1 tablespoon at a time as needed. Horehound tea can also be made and used to ease the symptoms of a common cold. As a wound cleanser, crush Horehound leaves, boil them in a pan of lard, let cool, and use as an ointment on the wound.
Depending upon the specific needs, it combines well with Coltsfoot, Lobelia, Elecampane, Wild Cherry Bark and Mullein.
Horehound can cause irregular heartbeat in large quantities, so use with caution.
Magickal uses: Use in protective sachets and carry to guard against sorcery and fascination. It is also an exorcism herb. Drinking an infusion of the herb will clear the mind, promote quick thinking and strengthen the mental powers. Mix with the leaves of ash in a bowl of water for the healing properties and keep in the sick room. In magick, Horehound is bound to the Earth and to Mercury. It’s name is a derivative of Horus, the Egyptian God of sky and light.
Burned as an incense, Horehound is believed to honor Horus, the God of sky and light, and to increase protection from evil forces.
Properties: Horehound: antiseptic, expectorant, heals wounds, stimulates bile flow, stabilizes heart rhythm.
Black Horehound: antispasmodic, antiemetic (relieves vomiting), stimulates bile flow. Contains marrubim, a diterpene lactone, with premarrubim, diterpene alcohols: marruciol, marrubenol, sclareol, peregrinin, dihydroperegrinin, volatile oil, containing a-pinene, sabinene, limonene, camphene, p-cymol, a-terpinolene, alkaloids; traces of betonicine and its isomer turicine, choline, alkanes, phytosterols, and tannins. Marrubiin is a strong expectorant and bitter. As an expectorant, it is believed to be responsible for thinning and loosening airway mucus making it easier to cough up.
Growth: Horehound likes dry sandy soils and full sun. It is a perennial (except in very cold climates) that reaches to 3 feet tall. It is a vigorous grower and can become a pest if not carefully controlled. It needs little water, tolerates poor soils, and does best in full sun. It blooms during its second year. It is indigenous from the Mediterranean region to central Asia, horehound has since become established in central Europe and introduced into America, South Africa, and Australia, flourishing in dry, bare, or open areas. A member of the mint family, it is a square-stemmed perennial, growing to about twenty inches and having toothed, downy grayish leaves and a long woody stem that bears rings of double-lipped, white flowers that evolve into a burr containing a few brown or black seeds. Horehound is gathered in the spring.
Black horehound is considered a weed in Europe, thriving in open areas, pavement cracks, by roadsides, and mostly near human habitation. It was intentionally introduced to the US, but it also grows in Asia. Black horehound is a straggling, strong-smelling perennial, growing to about three feet and having oval, toothed leaves and pinkish-purple flowers in whorls at the base of the upper leaves. It is harvested when in flower in the summer. All parts of the plant are used medicinally.
Horehound cough syrup: steep 1 ounce of leaves (fresh or dried) in a pint of boiling water. Cover, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves, and then measure the quantity of water remaining. Add honey to equal twice the remaining water, mix well, and bottle. Take 1 teaspoon as needed up to four times per day.
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l/2 – l teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 1-=15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: 1-2ml of the tincture 3 times a day.
Author
Crick
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