Horehound and Its Herbal Healing Uses

Horehound – the name appears to belong to a very humble herb. However, it is so much more than what its name gives the impression of. It is an aromatic, bitter and woody herb with downy stems and ovate grayish-green leaves which are rounded at the base and have toothed edges. Horehound tends to show off its tiny hairy white flowers especially during the summer days. It is a native plant of Europe. However it is now widespread in America. It comes from the mint family and is known as Marrubium Vulgare in Latin. Horehound also has a range of other attention-grabbing names such as bull’s blood, even of the star, huran, seed of horn’s, soldier’s tea and so on. Even the history of this herb is quite interesting. It was very common during the Victorian Era. It was sold in almost every grocery markets and stores. The most fascinating part is that it was sold as a candy which was popular among the children.

Different Uses of Horehound

Horehound not only has an intriguing past but also an incredible number of diverse uses, especially in herbal and medicinal healing. Some of its more popular uses are:

1. It is very useful in curing lung and throat diseases, such as bronchitis, colds and coughs. It acts as an effective remedy in curing coughs and croup. These illnesses are particularly widespread in the case of small children. It also helps to cure asthma, inflated breathing passages, tuberculosis, and whooping cough.

2. It is also effective in the treatment of respiratory disorders. It dilates the vessels which aids in ousting phlegm and thinning mucus from the bronchial system as a result. It can also cure ailments such as congestion, hoarseness and laryngitis.

3. It can also be used to cure stomach disorders and illnesses such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, gas, indigestion, loss of appetite and so on.

4. It also helps in easing inflammation, relieving spasms and stimulating bile circulation. Thus, it is an effective remedy for disorders relating to liver and gallbladder such as typhoid.

5. It can act as a helpful remedy for abrasions and wounds as well. It has external uses such as curing minor cuts and skin inflammations.

6. It can play the role of an effective cleanser by healing skin issues such as skin dermatitis problems and skin damage.

7. It acts as stimulant to enhance perspiration and hence increase sweating. It can also be used on yellowed skin during jaundice and also utilized for increasing urine production. Women can also use it to alleviate the intense pain of menstrual cramps.

8. It does the important work of calming and soothing the heart. It also treats and cures palpitations.

9. It works as an anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, expectorant, laxative, stomachic and tonic.

10. It is also utilized in the preparation and flavoring of a variety of food and beverages, particularly herbal drinks such as tea and liqueurs. A famous herbal made from it is known as “Horehound ale”. Particularly its leaves are used for such purposes since they act as a means of enhancing the flavor. It also plays the role of expectorants in cough syrups and lozenges.

Though horehound possesses a variety of important elements such as betonicine, choline, phenolic acids, tannins and volatile oil which allows horehound to have a diverse range of uses, it does not mean that it should be used excessively. High blood pressure may result from the excessive and prolonged use of horehound in many people. Hence, horehound should be taken in limited amounts, especially under the consultation of doctors or medical specialists. This should particularly be noted down by people who already suffer from ailments relating to hypertension and heart diseases. However these are precautions that one must usually take before consuming or utilizing any herbal or chemical medications. Apart from that, horehound truly has a number of incredible properties from which the body can enormously benefit. Merely a single cup of horehound herbal tea can work wonders to the human body, be it in terms of removing congestion, relieving headaches, lessening sinus effects, improving appetite and digestive system, keeping the heart healthy or even rejuvenating the skin by eliminating skin related issues. No wonder it has received the appropriate name of Soldier’s Tea.