Horehound - Uses and Side Effects

The leaves and flower tops of the horehound have long been used in home remedies for the base cold. They are now used primarily as flavorings in liqueurs, candies, and cough drops. Extracts of the plant have also been used for treating intestinal parasites, as a diaphoretic, and as a diuretic.

The active ingredients are obtained from the leaves and flowers of M. Vulgare. Horehound's active compound, marrubi in, stimulates secretions in the bronchioles and works as an expectorant. It also contains antiarrhythmic properties, but is of little use for this purpose because large doses can also cause arrhythmias.

Marrubin acid, derived from marrubiin, stimulates bile secretion. An aqueous extract from horehound may have antagonistic activities toward serotonin. The horehound extract has hypoglycemic effects. Horehound is available as dried herb, liquid extract, lozenges, powder, syrup, and tea.

Reported uses

Horehound is used to treat acute or persisting bronchitis, whooping cough, and sore throat. It's used as an expectorant for treating nonproductive coughs and as a digestive aid. Horehound also may be used for its transient bile secretion stimulant properties.

Administration

Dried herbs: An infusion is prepared by pouring boiling water over 1 to 2 g of the herb and straining after 10 minutes. Dosage is 1 to 2 g by mouth, three times a day

Liquid extract (1:1 making ready in 20% alcohol): Dosage is 2 to 4 ml by mouth three times a day

Oral use: median daily dose is 4.5 g of the drug, or 30 to 60 ml of the pressed juice.

Hazards

Horehound may cause diarrhea, hypoglycemia, and palpate dermatitis. Antiarrhythmics, some antidepressants, antiemetics, and antimigraine drugs may potentiate the serotonergic effects when used with horehound. Enhanced hypoglycemic effects may be seen with antidiabetics and insulin.

Patients with arrhythmias or diabetes mellitus and patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid use. Patients with cardiovascular disease should use with caution.

Safety Risk High doses of horehound may be associated with cardiac arrhythmias.

Clinical considerations

Medicinal use is not recommended.

Horehound may interfere with the intended therapeutic consequent of conventional drugs.

Monitor patient's serum glucose level, and heart rate and rhythm.

Monitor sick person for changes in bowel habits.

Warn sick person not to treat persisting cough and dyspepsia before seeking suitable curative estimation because doing so may delay analysis of a potentially serious curative condition.

Advise patients with diabetes or cardiac problems not to use horehound.

Advise sick person to use less or to stop using horehound if upset stomach or diarrhea occur.

Advise sick person to seek curative help if cough doesn't heighten significantly in 2 weeks, or if a cough brings up brown, black, or bloody phlegm.

Advise sick person to keep the herb away from children and pets.

Tell sick person to tip off pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.

Advise sick person to consult his condition care supplier before using an herbal making ready because a conventional rehabilitation with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The Fda banned the use of horehound in the making ready of Otc cough remedies because of unconvincing evidence to maintain its effectiveness; however, horehound making ready is still available in sore throat products.

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