Marrubium vulgare

Specific Indications. - Chronic irritation of the bronchial membrane with cough and catarrh.

Action and Therapy. - Hoarhound is a stimulating expectorant and tonic, and is adapted to both acute and chronic irritation of the larynx and bronchial tract, and gives added power to respiration. In small doses it is a gastric tonic of considerable value, but given too freely it will act as an emetic and cathartic. A hot infusion is diaphoretic; a cold infusion, diuretic. Hoarhound, usually in the form of a syrup, is useful in hoarseness, coughs, and colds that do not clear up rapidly, chronic bronchial catarrh, and humid asthma. The specific medicine may be used in atonic dyspepsia, especially when associated with bronchial debility. The compound syrup is an agreeable and efficient expectorant for chronic cough. Hoarhound candy is a popular remedy for irritation of the throat with cough.

The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D. (1922)

Medicinal uses

The leaves and young shoots are harvested for medicinal preparations. The flavor of such preparations can perhaps best be described as an almost berry-flavored rootbeer. Horehound is used as a flavoring in stick candy, and candy "drops" (used as throat lozenges).

Historical accounts

White horehound has long been noted for its efficacy in lung troubles and coughs. The British herbalist Gerard says of this plant:

'Syrup made of the greene fresh leaves and sugar is a most singular remedie against the cough and wheezing of the lungs... and doth wonderfully and above credit ease such as have been long sicke of any consumption of the lungs, as hath beene often proved by the learned physitions of our London College.'

Physician and herbalist Nicholas Culpeper adds:

'It helpeth to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken with the roots of Irris or Orris... There is a syrup made of this plant which I would recommend as an excellent help to evacuate tough phlegm and cold rheum from the lungs of aged persons, especially those who are asthmatic and short winded.'

For cough

Preparations of horehound are still largely used as expectorants and tonics. It may, indeed, be considered one of the most popular pectoral remedies, being given with benefit for chronic cough, asthma, and some cases of consumption.

For children's cough and croup, it is given to advantage in the form of syrup. It is also useful as a tonic and a corrective of the stomach.

As vermifuge and purgative

Taken in large doses, it acts as a gentle purgative.

The powdered leaves have also been employed as a vermifuge and the green leaves, bruised and boiled in lard, are made into an ointment which is good for wounds.

For common cold

For ordinary cold, a simple infusion of horehound (horehound tea) is generally sufficient in itself. The tea may be made by pouring boiling water on the fresh or dried leaves, 1 oz. of herb per pint. A wineglassful may be taken three or four times a day. Two or three teaspoonsful of the expressed juice of the herb may also be given as a dose in severe colds.

In combination

Horehound is sometimes combined with hyssop, rue, liquorice root and marshmallow root, 1/2 oz. of each boiled in 2 pints of water, to 1 1/2 pint, strained and given in 1/2 teacupful doses, every two to three hours.

As candy

Horehound for candy is best made from the fresh plant by boiling it down until the juice is extracted, then adding sugar before boiling again, until it becomes thick enough in consistency to pour into a paper case to be cut into squares when cool.

Making candy from horehound is discussed in the 1921 book Apell's Up-to-Date Candy Teacher by Charles Apell.