What Is Horehound?

Horehound is a medicinal herb that native to Asia and Europe and naturalized in North America. It is most often used in Western herbal medicine for lung conditions, and it works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs.

How to Use Horehound (Common Uses)

Horehound can be taken internally as a tea, in capsules, and as an extract. It can also be eaten as a food or made into syrups and candies.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Horehound

Horehound is used primarily for its beneficial effects on the lungs. It can help to remove phlegm and tone the tissue of the lungs. Horehound is often used for chronic or acute coughs, wildfire smoke inhalation relief, and asthma. Due to the bitterness of horehound, it can also be useful for digestive complaints, however this is not its usual use. Horehound is safe to give to children in small doses.

Active Constituents in Horehound

Marrubium, volatile oil, resin, tannin, wax.

Notable Facts About Horehound

Egyptian priests referred to horehound as the “seed of Horus” and at the time, the seed was an ingredient in a traditional formula used to treat poisons. Medieval Europeans used horehound to warn of spells by witches. In addition, Jewish people traditionally ate horehound as one of the “bitter herbs” had at Passover.