by trace elements

Created on: November 09, 2007   Last Updated: November 10, 2007

Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)

This plant is of the mint family, but it has a bitter taste and no appreciable aroma, unlike most other mint plants you find.
It is indigenous to the Mediterranean, but grows widely in Britain as a hedgerow plant. It has velvety grey-green leaves and white flowers, the leaves looking almost prickly although they do not bite when you touch the plant . The flowers and stems are harvested for their medicinal value.

Named after the Egyptian god Horus and is considered sacred to Horus, Also found with isis and osiris who are the mother and father of Horus. In Egyptian rituals Horehound was used either as an incense or ritual beverage.

It has many properties and so can work in many areas, as can most herbs. Although Horehound should not be used is someone is pregnant or nursing. Otherwise it is a safe herb to treat all people. The action of Horehound are: Pectoral, this means it works directly on the lungs and chest as this is the area of the pectoral muscle; Expectorant, having the ability to loosen the accumulations of phlegm making it easy to cough up; Tonic, herbs which are good for you giving the body a sense of well being and often include stimulants and nutrients; and Astringent, binding herbs causeing the tissue to contract often used to stop bleeding. For the skin they are used to improve complexion tightening the pores. Internally they restore organs.

Horehound is most widely used for the treatment of coughs and can be taken as a cough mixture or lozenges. It can also be combined with other herbs depending on the type of cough present. Horehound is excellent for the treatment of smokers cough and can be combined with other smoker herbs. It gently purges and not only cleanses but is an excellent tonic as well. Horehound is also used in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis, and applied as a lotion. If present in the hair then it can be used a wash to rinse the hair.

In magical work Horehound is used widel as well as it helps you keep it together when performing rituals. As already mentioned the Egyptians used it in al ritual work as it protects from outside influences. It also brings forth parts of self which are creative and free, stimulating inspiration and new ideas. For diviners drinking horehound tea enhance their work, as the infusion clears the mind, quicken thinking and strengthens mental powers.
Flowering horehound can be gathered and dried then tied with a ribbon and hung in home to aid balancing personal energies keeping the home free of negative energy.
Horehound can be macerated and the oil from this used in psyhic healing and other magical healing.

References:
Hershoff A and Rotelli A (2001) Herbal Rememdies Avery
Cunningham S (2003) Encylopedia of Magical Herbs
Beyerl P (1984) The Master Book Of Herbalism Phoenix Publishing Co

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