Horehound

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Marrubium vulgare, houndsbane, marrubii herba, mastranzo, common hoarhound, hoarhound, white horehound

What is horehound?

Horehound is a bushy, spreading plant that grows to about 2 feet tall. The base of the stems is woody. The leaves are gray-green, hairy, and crinkled. Small white flowers grow in rings around the tops of the stems. Flowers leave a spiny burr when they fade. Each burr contains 4 small brown or black seeds. The above-ground parts of the plant are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

Horehound has been used to treat:

• bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea
• breathing problems and lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis
• coughs and colds
• fluid retention
• intestinal worms
• liver and gallbladder problems
• poor appetite

Horehound has been used on the skin to treat wounds.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Horehound may be taken by mouth or put on the skin. You can take it fresh or dried, as a powder, a capsule, a juice, a liquid extract, or a tea. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider. Horehound may be used in cough drops.

Horehound may be used as flavoring in foods and beverages.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take horehound if you have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not give you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: Irregular heartbeat.

Other: Vomiting, diarrhea, rash, skin irritation.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way this remedy or any of the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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