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Description
Horehound is a perennial herb native to
Europe and found in waste places of North America. It prefers a sunny location,
growing on dry, sandy fields, waste places, and roadsides. The herb is also
cultivated in gardens. Horehound has a hollow, hairy stem, 18 inches in height.
It bears dark, green, opposite, ovate leaves that are wrinkled and hairy.
Small, white flowers grow in axillary whorls in the leaf axils, blooming from
June to August. The seeds grow at the bottom of the calyx.
Other
common names:
| Common hoarhound |
Common horehound |
Marrub |
| Marrubium |
Marvel |
White hoarhound |
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
| Alkaloids |
Betonicine |
Bitter principles |
| Camphene |
Cymene |
Diterpene alcohols |
| Hydrocarbons |
Limonene |
Marrubenol |
| Marrubiin |
Marrubiol |
Pectin |
| Peregrinol |
Pinene |
Resins |
| Sabinene |
Saponins |
Sitosterol |
| Tannic acid |
Volatile oils |
Sesquiterpene lactones |
| Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons |
Vulgarol |
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* For definition of some of the above terms
see the dictionary section of this book.
NUTRIENT COMPOSITION
| Choline |
Vitamin B Complex |
Properties and
Uses
Aromatic - an agent with an agreeable odor and
other stimulating qualities.
Diaphoretic - an agent which increases
perspiration
Diuretic - Diuretics form a class of drugs which
increase the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. It can be used
effectively to treat mild cases of edema when kidney function is good and when
the underlying abnormality of cardiac function, capillary pressure, or salt
retention is being corrected simultaneously. Diuretics are not an appropriate
treatment for edema caused by inflammation of the kidneys, and are useless in
cardiac edema associated with advanced kidney insufficiency. There are a
variety of diuretics with different modes of action. Among the diuretics are
spironolactones, triamterene, and theobromine.
Emmenagogue - an agent which stimulates menstrual
flow.
Expectorant - an agent which stimulates the outflow
of mucus from the lungs and bronchials.
Hepatic - an agent that affects the liver.
Pectoral - an agent which relieves chest conditions
such as a cough.
Stimulant - an agent that temporarily increases the
activity or physiological processes. Stimulants may be classified according to
the organ upon which they act; for example, an intestinal stimulant is that
which stimulates the intestines.
Stomachic - a substance which excites, strengthens,
and tones the stomach.
Tonic - an agent which strengthens or tones.
Horehound is excellent for coughs, croups, colds, and
pulmonary problems such as bronchial congestion. It promotes the healing of
wounds and stimulates bile secretions; a warm infusion will promote the flow of
blood. It acts as a tonic to the respiratory organs and to the stomach, but in
large doses can act as a laxative. It has been recommended to promote delayed
menstruation and, with topical applications, as an aid in herpes simplex
eruptions, eczema, and shingles.
It contains 0.3 to 1% of a bitter principle called
marrubiin. It also contains tannins, pectic substances, saponin, resin, and
other constituents. The volatile oil is supposed to enlarge blood vessels and
eliminate mucus from the upper respiratory tract.
It contains 0.3 to 1% of a bitter principle called
marrubiin. It also contains tannins, pectic substances, saponin, resin, and
other constituents. The volatile oil is supposed to enlarge blood vessels and
eliminate mucus from the upper respiratory tract.
It has been used in France as a hot tea to produce an
abortion in the first few months. Horehound is antibacterial, and has
demonstrated definite antitumor activity.
Toxicity
Levels
Horehound contains marrubiin which has strong choleretic
activity. It has a normalizing effect on extra-systolic arrhythmias, but in
large doses disturbs the heart rhythm. The volatile oil of this plant has
vasodilative effects. Consequently, it may be contraindicated by hops, which is
a strong vasopressant.
Serotonin is present in relatively high concentrations in
some parts of the central nervous system such as the hypothalamus gland and the
basal ganglia. Serotonin inhibits gastric secretion, stimulates smooth muscle,
and causes a narrowing of blood vessels. Horehound components can interfere
with any of these performances. For this reason, horehound may be detrimental
to those with low blood pressure.
DRUG PRECAUTIONS AND
INTERACTIONS
Possible Interactions
The antituberculous activity of horehound may potentiate
the adverse effects of other antituberculous drugs, especially ethionamide.
Comments
To the extent that horehound's action depends on the
presence of cholinergic substances, it will be affected by the decrease in
cholinergic receptor stimulation produced by anticholinergics. |
