402 /HOREHOUND PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES
triangular, smootfi, gray-brown with darker marbling or light
brown nut.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial herb with a
fusiform root and a multi-headed, often woody, root crown.
The stems are erect, branched, obtusely quadrangular, and
about 40 to 60 cm high and 7 mm thick at the base. The
branches are curved, spreading out, obtusely quadrangular,
and loosely downy, like the leaves. The leaves are tomen-
tose-downy, petiolate, orbicular and unevenly crenate. They
have distinct veins on the underside and are wrinkled.
Characteristics: The leaves smell tangy when rubbed and
contain musk juice, which taste bitter and hot.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region
to central Asia. It has become established in central Europe;
introduced to America, South Africa and Australia.
Production: Horehound herb consists of the fresh or dried,
above-ground parts of Marrubium vulgare as well as their
preparations. The plant is harvested during the flowering
season from June to August. Fast drying is recommended.
Other Names: Houndsbane, Marrubium, White Horehound
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Diterpene hitter principles: chief components marrubiin
(0.1-1.0%), premarrubiin (0.1%)
Caffeic acid derivatives: including among others chlorogenic
acid, cryptochlorogenic acid
Flavonoids: including among others chrysoeriol, vicenin II,
lactoyl flavones, for example luteolin-7-lactate, apigenin-7-
lactate
Volatile oil (traces): including among others camphene, p-
cymene, fenchene
EFFECTS
The bitter ingredients act as a gastric juice stimulant;
marrubinic acid acts as a choleretic. In animal experiments, a
significant increase of bile secretion was observed after
administration of marrubinic acid and its salt. The main
active principles, essential oil, diterpene-amaroids, tannins
and flavonoids indicate that the drug would probably
stimulate gastric juice secretion.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:
- Dyspeptic complaints
- Loss of appetite
Unproven Uses: The drug is used for dyspepsia, loss of
appetite, bloating and flatulence, and respiratory catarrh. In
folk medicine, it is used internally for acute and chronic
bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, tuberculosis, pulmo-
nary catarrh, respiratory infections, diarrhea, jaundice, debil-
ity and painful menstruation, and as a laxative in higher
doses; externally for skin damage, ulcers and wounds, and as
a gargle for mouth and throat infections.
Homeopathic Uses: Inflammation of the respiratory tract.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages.
Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb, freshly pressed
plant juice and other galenic preparations for internal use.
Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over
1 to 2 gm of the drug; strain after 10 minutes. For a liquid
extract, prepare as a (1:1) dilution with ethanol (20%).
Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 4.5 gm of the drug;
30 to 60 ml pressed juice.
The infusion dosage is 1 to 2 gm of the drug taken up to 3
times daily. The liquid extract dosage is 2 to 4 ml 3 times
daily.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day (HAB1).
LITERATURE
Bartarelli IM, (1966) Boll Chim Farm 105:787.
Brieskorn CH, Feilner K, (1968) Phytochemistry 7:485.
Busby MC et al., (1983) Proc R IR Acad Sect B 83:1.
Cahen R, (1970) C R Soc Biol 164:1467.
Henderson MS, McCrindle R, (1969) J Chem Soc Chem Comm
15:2014.
Karryev MO et al., (1976) Izv Akad Nauk Turkm Ser Biol
3:86.
Mascolo N et al., (1987) Phytother Res 1(1):28.
Nicholas HJ, (1964) J Pharm Sci 53:895.
Pandler WW, Wagner S, (1963) Chem Ind 42:1693.
Popa DP et al., (1968) Khim Prir Soedin 4(6):345.
Popa DP et al., (1974) Rastit Resur 10(3):365.
Popa DP, Salei LA, (1973) Rastit Resur 9(3):384.
Further information in:
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. AuflL, Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
