Home :: Horehound

Horehound Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Herbalists typically make horehound extracts from the fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops of Marrubium vulgare. Native to Europe and Asia, this plant has been naturalized to the United States and other parts of North America. In Europe, a variety called white horehound serves as a natural food flavoring source and is added to liqueurs, candy, and cough drops.

Horehound contains a number of constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids , diterpenes (e.g., marrubiin), and trace amount of volatile oils. 3 The major active constituent in horehound is marrubiin, which is thought to be responsible for the expectorant (promotion of coughing up of mucus) action of the herb. In addition, marrubiin contributes to the bitter taste of horehound, an action that increases the flow of saliva and gastric juice, thereby stimulating the appetite. 4 These actions likely explain the long-standing use of horehound as a cough suppressant and expectorant as well as a bitter digestive tonic.

Common doses of horehound

Horehound comes as capsules of fluid extract (300 milligrams), lozenges, syrup, tea, powder, and candies. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• For cough and throat ailments, 10 to 40 drops of extract taken orally in warm water up to three times daily; or I to 2 grams of the powder or an infusion taken orally three times daily; or lozenges taken orally as needed.

Uses of horehound herb

• As a digestive aid
• As an expectorant
• Cough
• Fluid retention
• Intestinal parasites
• Sore throat
• To induce sweating

Side effects of horehound

all your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of horehound:

• diarrhea
• irregular heartbeats
• low blood sugar symptoms, such as shakiness, weakness, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and cool, pale skin.
• Horehound also may cause miscarriage .

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use horehound while taking:

• certain antidepressants (consult your health care practitioner)
• drugs for irregular heartbeats
• drugs for migraine, such as D.H.E. 45, Ergostat, and Imitrex
• drugs that lower blood sugar, such as insulin, Amaryl, DiaBeta, Diabinese, Glucophage, Glucotrol, Precose, and Rezulin
• drugs used to halt vomiting, such as Kytril or Zofran.

Important paints to remember

• Avoid this herb if you have diabetes or irregular heartbeats.
• Be aware that black horehound (Ballota nigra) sometimes is mixed into compounds that claim to contain only white horehound.

What the research shows

Horehound has a long history as a cough remedy and flavoring agent, but research doesn't support other uses. Medical experts recommend avoiding large doses because the herb may have harmful effects on the heart rhythm and blood sugar.

Other names for horehound: -

Other names for horehound include common horehound, hoarhound, marrubium, marvel, and white horehound.

Products containing horehound are sold under such names as Horehound Herb and Hore Hound Tea.