White Horehound - Side Effects and Health Benefits

The White Horehound Plant
(Marrubium vulgare)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:
Thomas Mathis & Veronica Sanchez

Botanical Name of White Horehound: Marrubium vulgare
Other Common Names:
Seed of horus, bull's blood, eye of the star, adorn, houndsbane, haran haran, grand bonhomme, blanc rubi and mapiochin.
Habitat:
White horehound is indigenous to Great Britain as well as most of Europe, northern Africa, and much of Asia. Like most plants in its family, this plant can flourish in wastelands and can be commonly found along roadsides.
Description:
White horehound is a herbaceous perennial plant with greyish leaves, and grows to an average height of around 33 cm. The leaves, are 3 to 5 cm long, and have a hairy texture. Flowers bloom on the upper portion of the main stalk, and appear in small white clusters. The plant has an odd musky smell which lessens with dehydration.
Plant Parts Used:
The young shoots and the leaves are the most commonly used parts of the white horehound.

White Horehound Supplements

Organic Horehound Herb
by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Benefits, Claims & Traditional Uses of White Horehound

White horehound is an anti-inflammatory and it is used to treat coughs, and other respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, whooping cough and asthma. White horehound is an expectorant that loosens phlegm to produce a more effective cough by soothing the tissues in the bronchial pathway allowing mucus to be expelled with ease.

Supported by evidence from the Commission E (The Expert German Panel), white horehound has been approved for uses in lack of appetite, heartburn, and as an alternative to opiod pain relievers.

White Horehound
(Marrubium vulgare)

The digestive system is affected by taking white horehound by means of the liver and the spleen. The plant can reduce indigestion, bloating and other gastrointestinal problems. It increases the flow of bile which helps the function of the gallbladder.

Research is under way to investigate the plant's ability to lower blood sugar levels, possibly making it an effective treatment for diabetes. It is already administered for diabetes treatment in some countries, including Mexico

One of white horehound uses as a folk remedy is to relieve pain. It has been promoted as an effective treatment for sprains, toothaches, and headaches. It is also widely recommended by practitioners of herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and swelling, including the pain and swelling associated with menstrual cramps.

Short studies indicate that white horehound can potentially act as a stabilizer for heart rhythm, and that the root of the plant is an active natural remedy for rattlesnake bites.

Marrob, the Hebrew name for white horehound, is one of the five sacred herbs traditionally served at Passover feasts.

Current research is aimed at determining how well this plant can be used against other illnesses, such as cancer and leukaemia.

Recommended Herbal Remedies

Native Remedies ®

Native Remedies offers more than 250 herbal and homeopatic remedies which are manufactured in an FDA and GMP registered pharmaceutical facility.

Dosage and Administration

White horehound may be taken as needed to reduce sore throat and loosen phlegm. More demanding uses require higher concentrations, and should be used less frequently. It may be chewed in its natural form, infused into a tea, or dehydrated into a powder form that can be mixed with other foods or supplements.

Potential Side Effects of White Horehound

Studies suggest that usage of white horehound over an extended period of time may lead to high blood pressure. This plant should only be taken as needed and not on a regular basis. White horehound is never to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Leave a Comment on White Horehound

Please leave a comment if you have any additional information, advice, or if you want to share your experience, on the use of white horehound.

Your name and email address are required. Your email address will not be displayed with the comment if you choose to keep it private. (Privacy Assured - We don't share your email address with anyone!)