Andorn: Effects, Uses, and Dosage

The Common Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a Lamiaceae that prefers dry clay and loamy soils as well as a warm climate. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, it can now also be found in North and South America as well as Australia. A less temperature-sensitive offshoot has even spread through Central Europe to Sweden and Scotland.

For more than 2000 years, Horehound has been a popular plant in phytotherapy and has therefore been cultivated for a long time. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians valued the herb. It is also indispensable in the monastery garden.

Its effects are well researched and documented. The mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties are used in medicine today for bronchitis and similar cough ailments, often in the form of drops and pressed juices. Dried Horehound for tea is also very popular.

Horehound tastes bitter. This is because it contains valuable bitter substances that we utilize with our refreshing BitterKraft! Marrubin is the specific bitter substance of the Common Horehound, which gives it its Latin name. Additionally, the plant has been found to contain terpenes, essential oils, tannins, resins, waxes, and mucilage.

The herbaceous plant with the upright stem grows between 30 and 80 centimeters tall. Broad, oval to round leaves with a serrated edge are covered with a felt-like texture. A similar white felt adorns the lower half of the square, hollow stem. White flowers form globular false whorls around the stem. The flowering period of Horehound is between June and September.

Horehound was awarded the title “Medicinal Plant of the Year 2018”, which is awarded annually by scientists from the University of Würzburg.