What Is Horehound?

Description

• The horehound is a bushy plant with crinkled leaves that are a whitish-gray in color with a bitter scent. It produces stems that reach a foot or more in height and bear white spiral-like flowers positioned in the space between a leaf or branch and the stem. Its blooming season ranges from April to October depending on the region, but the plant does not bloom until it is a couple of years old.

Habitat

• Horehound grows easily and is a hardy plant. It prefers dry, well-drained soil, but adapts well to most any conditions. The horehound plant will survive on only about 12 inches of annual rainfall and prefers full sun and heat. Horehound can be germinated from seed or grown from cuttings or by dividing the roots.

Uses

• The leaves and flowers of the horehound plant are used medicinally. Horehound is ingested in a number of ways, including cough drops and throat lozenges and as a tea, syrup or tonic. Horehound is primarily used in the treatment of coughs and lung infections. It is also used as an appetite stimulant and a digestive aid in addition to treating asthma and the common cold. As with all herbs, consult with a health professional before ingesting any herbal supplement.

Precautions

• Horehound remedies should not be taken during pregnancy or while nursing. Avoid taking larger than recommended doses of horehound. Higher consumption can cause cardiac arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat. In larger quantities horehound may also cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. Read and follow all label directions carefully. A normal dosage of horehound is about 4-1/2 grams daily.