Botanical Index No. 1100

White Horehound

marrubium vulgare l.

Medicinal Actions

Alterative, Anti-5-Hydroxytryptophan, Anti-arrhythmic, Antiedemic, Antiinflammatory, Antipyretic, Antischistosomal, Antiseptic, Antiserotonin, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Arrhythmogenic, Cardioactive, Carminative, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Dermatitigenic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Gastrogogue, Hepatotonic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Laxative, Nephrotonic, Secretagogue, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Adenopathy Amenorrhea Anorexia Aperitif Arrhythmia Atherosclerosis Asthma Bitter Bloating Bronchiectasis Bronchosis Cancer breast gum liver spleen uterus Cardiopathy Catarrh Childbirth Chlorosis Cholecystosis Circulosis Cold Constipation Corn Cough Cramp Debility Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dog Bite Duodenosis Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Earache Enterosis Fever Fibroid Flu Gas Gastrosis Gingivosis Gout Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hysteria Induration Infection Inflammation Jaundice Laryngosis Malaria Mastosis Nephrosis Pertussis Pharyngosis Placenta Polyp Ptyalism Respirosis Rheumatism Schistosomiasis Sore Sore Throat Splenosis Stomachache Stomatosis Stone Swelling Tuberculosis Ulcer Uterosis Vasodilator Vermifuge Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

1.5 g/cup; 4–5 g herb; 2–3 tsp herb; 1–2 g herb in tea 3 ×/day; 1.5 g chopped herb/cup water several ×/day; 1–2 g powdered herb; 4 g powdered herb; 1 drachm herb; 2–4 oz herb tea or syrup; 2–4 ml herbal syrup; 2–4 ml concentrated herb infusion; 2–6 tbsp fresh juice; 30–60 ml expressed herb juice; 2–4 ml liquid herbal extract 3 ×/day; 2–4 ml liquid herb extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Emmenagogue and uterotonic. Five cups may cause arrhythmia. None known. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. APA notes that, to my confusion and consternation, the FDA “banned horehound” from OTC remedies in 1989, finding no convincing support for efficacy. Their German counterparts approved the herb a year later for colds, coughs, and dyspepsia with its accompanying gas and anorexia. The plant juice from white horehound is an irritant and may cause dermatosis. Because it is reputed to be abortifacient, and reputed to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. Lack of toxicity data and suggested cardioactive properties suggest it should not be taken in excessive doses. Larger doses are laxative. Contraindicated in cardiopathy, hypertension, and pregnancy. Large doses are possibly arrhythmigenic or laxative.

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