Common horehound is one of the medicinal plants. Thus, it has a cough-relieving effect and loosens mucus from the respiratory tract.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common horehound.
The characteristics of the medicinal herb include the silvery hairy, felt-like shoots and leaves. The latter have an oval to circular shape. Common horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a plant species that belongs to the labiates family (Lamiaceae). It belongs to the genus of horehound (Marrubium) and in earlier times was considered a sought-after medicinal plant. Common horehound is also known as common horehound, white horehound, white dorant, mountain hops, Helfkraut and Mary’s nettle. The horehound belongs to the herbaceous perennial plants. Its height of growth ranges from 30 to 80 centimeters. The characteristics of the medicinal herb include the silvery hairy, tomentose shoots and leaves. The latter have an oval to circular shape. The leaves are covered with stellate hairs. On their lower side, their hairiness is much higher than on their upper side, which becomes increasingly bare. The flowering period of the horehound is from May to August. Common horehound is native and widespread in the Mediterranean region. In addition, people introduced it to Australia, North America and South America. In Central European countries, the plant often thrives near villages. Since horehound is considered undemanding, it can be easily grown in the home garden.
Effect and application
Common horehound contains various ingredients that have a positive effect on health. The most important substances include essential oils, glycosides, calcium, potassium, tannins, saponins, bitter substances, resins and choline. The medicinal plant is used as a phytotherapeutic agent in various forms. Thus, horehound can be used both as a tea and as a tincture. The most common therapeutic use of common horehound is as a medicinal tea mixture. To prepare a horehound tea, the user pours a cup of freshly boiled hot water over two teaspoons of horehound. Then the tea must steep for about 10 minutes. After straining, it can be taken in small sips. It is recommended to take one to three cups of horehound tea every day. Another possibility of administration is the tincture. This can be prepared by putting the horehound in a screw-top jar. Then the parts of the plant are poured over with spirit of wine or double grain until they are completely covered with liquid. The mixture is then sealed and left to infuse for two to six weeks before it can be used. After this period, the tincture is strained into a dark bottle. If the tincture is needed, the patient takes between 10 and 50 drops one to three times a day. If the concentration of the tincture is too high, it can be diluted with water. Common horehound can be administered both internally and externally. The tea and tincture are used internally against respiratory diseases such as cough. In addition, the medicinal plant is effective against disorders of bile function, circulatory problems and gastrointestinal problems. Furthermore, the immune system of man can be strengthened by tea and tincture. For external use, a diluted tincture of horehound or the tea is applied to the skin as compresses. Washes or baths are also possible. Thus, eczema can be effectively alleviated with this method. It also makes sense to treat poorly healing wounds and ulcers. To carry out a spring cure, the pressed juice of fresh horehound can also be used.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Common horehound is one of the oldest medicinal plants of mankind. By the Roman physician Galen, who lived from about 129 to 199 AD, the herb of horehound was used to treat coughs and other respiratory ailments. In naturopathy, in addition to the herb, the flowering shoot tips are also used in modern times. In turn, folk medicine uses the horehound for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Furthermore, the phytotherapeutic serves as an appetite suppressant as well as for loosening mucus to facilitate expectoration. The health-promoting effect of common horehound consists in the anti-inflammatory and hematopoietic effects of the medicinal plant.Other indications are chronic bronchitis, inflammation of the stomach or intestines, gastritis, weakness of liver function, immune deficiency, anemia, weakness of the gall bladder, nervous heart disorders and circulatory problems. Furthermore, horehound is suitable for the treatment of weak menstruation, as it promotes menstruation in women. The plant is also helpful in wound healing disorders, skin inflammations and ulcers. Common horehound is also used by homeopathy under the name Marrubium vulgare. In this case, the upper parts of the medicinal plant are administered for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Incidentally, horehound is also contained in numerous cold remedies and bronchial pastilles. In these, it is combined with eucalyptus, fennel, thyme, ivy or ribwort, among others. Otherwise, conventional medicine hardly uses the plant. As with most other medicinal plants, taking common horehound can cause undesirable side effects. These are primarily [[allergy|allergic reactions], disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and cardiac arrhythmias. Interactions with other drugs, on the other hand, are not known. There are also some contraindications that prohibit taking the andorn. Thus, the remedy should not be taken if there is hypersensitivity to the herbal remedy or the patient suffers from gallstones. The same applies to the period of pregnancy and lactation. Furthermore, the user must not use the horehound for a long time.
