Marrubium vulgare
Horehound
Lamiaceae
At a Glance
- Common name
- Horehound
- Scientific name
- Marrubium vulgare
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Region
- Europe
- Plant part
- Aerial parts, Leaves
- Caffeine
- Caffeine Free
- Evidence
- Limited
- Safety review
- Safety information on file
Safety & Cautions
Safety information on fileBotanical Description
A bushy square-stemmed perennial 30-80 cm tall covered in soft white hairs, with rounded, deeply wrinkled grey-green netted leaves and dense whorls of small white two-lipped tubular flowers along the upper stem.
Also known as: White Horehound, Common Horehound, Marrub
Historical Background
Horehound has been the quintessential European cough herb since antiquity, brewed into bitter syrups, teas, and the familiar horehound candy lozenges. Its intensely bitter taste gave it a reputation as a hardy remedy for chesty coughs and sluggish digestion.
Earliest recorded uses: Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medicine; the classic European cough herb for lozenges and syrups.
Traditional preparations:
- Aerial-part infusion
- Horehound cough syrup
- Horehound candy lozenges
Traditional Uses
These uses document historical traditions and do not imply proven effectiveness.
Traditional European Herbalism
Expectorant for chesty coughs and sore throat; bitter digestive.
Modern Herbalism
Cough, sore throat, and digestive bitter.
Flavor & Aroma
Aroma: Bitter, earthy, menthol-like, herbaceous
Tea Preparation
Modern Evidence
Horehound has a strong tradition as a bitter digestive and expectorant cough remedy, recognized in European pharmacopoeias. Clinical evidence is limited; small studies support some expectorant and antimicrobial activity, but it is not a treatment for cough, infection, or digestive disease.
Evidence levels describe the state of research for the traditional use discussed here, not a recommendation. Historical use does not imply effectiveness.
Related Herbs
Entry last updated August 4, 2026