About Horehound
Marrubium vulgare aerial parts contain marrubiin (a diterpene lactone), volatile oils, and flavonoids. Traditional uses: expectorant for cough/bronchitis and bitter digestive stimulant for dyspepsia. German Commission E approved for dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite. Small low-quality trials suggested modest blood glucose and lipid effects in type 2 diabetics, but trials are weak and not replicated. Cardiac arrhythmogenic effects reported at high doses in animal studies — avoid in cardiac patients on antiarrhythmics. Avoid in pregnancy (uterine stimulant in folk literature). Do NOT confuse with Black Horehound (Ballota nigra), which has different chemistry and traditional indications.
What Horehound supports
- German Commission E lists this as a traditional expectorant — no robust modern RCTs
- German Commission E lists this as a traditional bitter digestive — efficacy not proven by modern trials
How much Horehound to take
Clinical studies typically use 1000–4500 mg of Horehound. German Commission E monograph: 4.5 g/day dried herb as expectorant/digestive bitter; 1–2 g three times daily as infusion. Capsule/extract doses commonly 300–1500 mg/day but lack RCT validation. Distinct from Black Horehound (Ballota nigra), a different plant with different uses.
- Effective range
- 1000–4500 mg
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. German Commission E monograph and small low-quality trials; no robust modern RCTs. Traditional/empirical evidence base.
Reference