Lamiaceae
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare
✓ Generally Safe
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Also known as: White Horehound, Common Horehound, Marrubium
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Productive cough, bronchitis (Commission E approved), asthma, digestive bitters, cardiac arrhythmias (mild), gallbladder support. Marrubiin is one of the most potent natural expectorants.
Herbal Actions
Expectorant, bitter tonic, antispasmodic, antiarrhythmic, cholagogue
Active Constituents
Diterpene marrubiin (primary active), alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine), flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture🍯 Syrup
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Traditional horehound candy effective for coughs. Syrup with honey excellent for children. Bitter taste — good digestive bitter. Marrubiin more concentrated in tincture. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (emmenagogue). Caution with antiarrhythmic drugs. Caution with antihypertensives.
Side Effects: GI upset at high doses. Cardiac effects (marrubiin) at very high doses. Generally well tolerated.