HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare)

The most commonly used horehound is the white variety, whose botanical name is Marrubium vulgare, of the family N.O. Labiatae. This variety is distinguished from other species by its wooly stem, the densely felted hairs on the leaves, and the ten-toothed teeth of the calyx. Horehound takes its name from Horus, the Egyptian god of sky and light. The Egyptian priests called this plant "Seed of Horus", or "Bull’s Blood" and "Eye of the Star." In ancient Greece, the herb was believed to cure the bite of a mad dog. The Romans esteemed horehound for its medicinal properties and its Latin name of Marrubium is said to be derived from Maria Urbs, an ancient town in Italy. Others derive the name from the Hebrew word marrob, which means "bitter juices", as it was one of the ritual bitter herbs used at Passover.

During ancient times, horehound was believed to relieve a variety of ailments, including chronic hepatitis, tumors, tuberculosis, typhoid, paratyphoid, snakebite, worms, itches, jaundice, and bronchitis. It was thought that by either putting horehound in your eyes or by sniffing it you could improve your eyesight. Ancient people believed that it helped to remove obstructions from the spleen and liver and, with the addition of oil of roses, that it would cure earaches. Horehound was thought to be both a diaphoretic and a diuretic. According to Columella, horehound is a "serviceable remedy against cankerworm in trees and, if put into fresh milk and set out in a place pestered by flies, it will speedily kill them."

The primary constituents thought to be responsible for the medicinal actions of horehound included a volatile oil, tannin, and a bitter principle called marrubiim, which does not exist in the living plant, but is formed during the extraction process. Horehound is a stimulant tonic and expectorant. It is a valuable plant in the treatment of bronchitis where there is a non-productive cough. It combines the actions of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus while promoting mucus production. It can be used in the treatment of whooping cough. The bitter action of horehound stimulates the flow and secretion of bile from the gall bladder, aiding digestion. In large doses it also serves as a laxative, but in too large a dose it may also cause irregular heartbeat, so caution is advised. Horehound was used externally to promote healing of wounds. The green leaves were bruised and boiled in lard and then made into an ointment for this purpose.

Even today, modern herbalists suggest horehound’s use in conjunction with such things as coltsfoot, lobelia, elecampane, mullein, hyssop, rue, liquorice root, and wild cherry bark for the treatment of fevers, coughs, colds, and bronchitis. It is considered one of the best herbs for clearing the bronchial passages. Horehound is also known to cool down the body, which helps to break a fever. In addition, it may alleviate the lethargic sensation that usually accompanies colds. A simple infusion of horehound as a tea is generally sufficient in itself. The tea is made by pouring boiling water on the fresh or dried leaves, one ounce of herb to a pint of water. To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water onto one-half teaspoon dried herb and leave it to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. This may be drunk three times a day. Two or three teaspoons of the expressed juice of the herb may also be given as a dose in severe colds. Horehound is very good in a syrup form for children’s coughs and croup, or as a corrective or tonic for the stomach because of its pleasant taste.

Culinary uses of horehound include as a flavoring for hard candy, ales and tea. In England, it is sometimes used as a substitute for hops in beer. Horehound candy can be made by adding sugar to an infusion of the leaves and boiling until the mixture reaches a thick consistency. Pour into a shallow pan and cut into squares when cool. Horehound may be added with fennel to iced tea and lemonade.

Horehound is a native of Europe and Asia Minor and is considered a troublesome weed in Australia. The climate there is ideal for horehound and it spreads rapidly into grazing areas. Because of its bitter taste, it is unpalatable to livestock, so soon all else is eaten and the horehound flourishes where grasses once grew. The meat of animals which are forced to eat horehound is tainted by the plant’s strong flavor. The seed burrs are a major contaminant of wool. It is conservatively estimated to cost the Australian wool producers $680,000 annually. Two other reasons why horehound is more of a problem in Australia than in Europe, besides climate, are differences in land management practices and the lack of the natural enemies which help to suppress horehound in Europe. There are reports in Australia of horehound causing stomach impaction in sheep and acting as an alternative host to pest insects.

Horehound’s branching stems give it a bushy look, accentuated by the extreme wooliness of the stems and the crinkled blue-green leaves. The leaves are arranged in pairs opposite each other on squarish stems, which identify it as a member of the mint family. The leaves are soft, hairy, round to oval, with serrated edges, with the upper surfaces veined and the lower surfaces wooly. Flowering occurs in the summer in the form of white, dense whorls, a tubular corolla which has two lips, a tubular calyx divided at the margin into ten hook-like segments, with four stamens. The seeds are contained in a burr with ten hooked spines which easily catch on wool, clothes, machinery, vehicles, and in chaff and hay. Once in the soil they may remain viable for several years. Horehound likes dry, sandy places, wastelands, sheep pastures, vacant lots, and abandoned fields.

In the United States, horehound grows so easily that it may quickly take over your garden because it readily self-sows. It prospers in a dry soil in full sun and can survive on as little as twelve inches of water a year. It can be propagated from seeds sown in early spring, cuttings, or by dividing the roots (the most usual method). If raised from seed, the seedlings should be planted out in the spring in rows, with a space of about nine inches or more between plants. No further culture is needed other than weeding. It does not bloom until two years old.

Harvesting of horehound can be done the first year by taking only a third of the plant’s top growth. Marilyn Hampstead of Fox Hill Farm in Parma, Michigan, recommends cutting the second year plants just when the flower buds form. You can hang bunches of horehound to dry, but it loses its flavor quickly. To retain the flavor, remove the fresh leaves and chop them. As soon as they have dried, place them in tightly sealed jars.

Black or "stinking" horehound (Ballota nigra) is called this because of its disagreeable odor. This is a common perennial in the temperate regions of the eastern hemisphere, where it is mostly found growing near towns and villages. It is considered a much less popular plant because of its offensive odor and unattractive appearance. The Greek work ballo, which means "to reject", comes from the name of this plant because it is often rejected by livestock who do not like to eat the bitter plant. The name ballote was given to this variety of horehound as early as the time of Dioscorides. This plant bears yellow flowers.

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