FWD 2 Expanded Commission E: Horehound herb

Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E

Horehound herb

Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare
Pharmacopeial Name: Marrubii herba
Other Names: white horehound

Overview

White horehound is a perennial aromatic herb native to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia, now naturalized in North America (Budavari, 1996; Knss and Zapp, 1998; Leung and Foster, 1996). In Asia, its range includes the western temperate Himalayas, Kashmir, the N.W. Frontier Province (India) and Baluchistan (southwest Pakistan and southeast Iran) (Karnick, 1994; Nadkarni, 1976). The material of commerce comes mainly from Hungary and also from France, Italy, and Morocco (BHP, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Horehound has been used as an expectorant cough remedy since ancient Egyptian times (Bown, 1995). Its name comes from the word hoary, due to the white hairs that cover horehound leaves, and hound, because it was used in ancient Greek medicine to treat bites from rabid dogs (Tyler, 1993). The sixteenth century Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard indicated its use for wheezing and tuberculosis (Tyler, 1993) as did seventeenth century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper (Grieve, 1979). Horehound is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat acute or chronic bronchitis and whooping cough (Karnick, 1994; Nadkarni, 1976). Its uses in North American aboriginal medicines are comparable to the Asian and European uses. The Cherokee use horehound as a cold remedy, cough medicine, and throat aid and prepare a cough syrup by combining the infusion with sugar. The Navajo prepare the infusion to treat sore throat. The Kawaiisu prepared hot or cold aqueous infusions of the leaves and flowering tops to treat coughs and colds. Additionally, they prepared a syrup to treat respiratory ailments (Moerman, 1998).

In Germany, horehound is used to treat dyspeptic complaints such as feeling of repletion, flatulence, and loss of appetite. It is also used for catarrh of the respiratory tract (BAnz, 1998; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994) as a component of some antitussive and expectorant drugs. It is also an ingredient in various multi-herb 'liver and bile teas' such as 'Species cholagogae AB' ( AB, 1983; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). It is a common expectorant component of Europeanmade herbal cough remedies (e.g., Ricola lozenges) that are sold in the United States. It was formerly official in the United States Pharmacopeia (Boyle, 1991).

Horehound has been used traditionally as an expectorant, to treat whooping cough and non-productive coughs of bronchitis and tuberculosis (Felter and Lloyd, 1985; Grieve, 1979; Newall et al., 1996; Tyler, 1993). Since these conditions are now primarily treated with antibiotics or prevented with vaccines, horehound's use as an expectorant is not as common, despite evidence that attests to its probable efficacy (Tyler, 1993). Animal studies have shown that horehound preparations are choleretic. This activity is attributed to the marrubic acid, which, in laboratory tests, increased bile flow in rats (Krejci and Zadina, 1959). Marrubiin has also been observed to enhance bronchial mucosa secretion, and to have cardiac actions. It is anti-arrhythmic in therapeutic doses, but pro-arrhythmic in large doses (Tyler, 1993). The approved modern therapeutic applications for horehound are supportable based on its long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, phytochemical investigations, in vitro studies, and pharmacological studies in animals.

Pharmacopeial grade white horehound consists of the dried leaves and flowering tops of Marrubium vulgare L. Botanical identity must be carried out with thin-layer chromatography (TLC), macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and organoleptic evaluations. It must contain not less than 15% water-soluble extractive (BHP, 1996). The Hungarian PharmacopoeiaVII requires microscopic tests for identity, qualitative tests for other plant parts, foreign organic matter, and bitter value. Based on recent phytochemical studies, a proposal has been made to amend the monograph to include new qualitative and quantitative chemical tests for determination of the main terpenoid substances, premarubiin and marrubiin (Ph.Hg.VII, 1986; Telek et al., 1997). Marrubiin is a furanic labdane diterpene with a lactone ring system and it evolves from the genuine diterpene premarrubiin during the extraction process (Knss and Zapp, 1998). The Austrian Pharmacopoeia requires a bitterness value of not less than 3,000 ( AB, 1983; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Description

Horehound herb consists of the fresh or dried, aboveground parts of M. vulgare L. [Fam. Lamiaceae] and their preparations in effective dosage. The herb contains bitter principles and tannins.

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Horehound contains 0.31% bitter diterpene principles, mainly marrubiin, which has a bitterness index (BI) of 65,000 (Leung and Foster, 1996; Wagner et al., 1984); diterpene alcohols, including peregrinol, vulgarol, marrubiol, marrubenol, and phytol; up to 7% tannins; alkaloids including approximately 0.3% betonicine and stachydrine; 0.2% choline; 0.05%0.06% volatile oil, mainly monoterpenes; flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and their glycosides); and minerals, particularly potassium (Bradley, 1992; Hnsel et al., 19921994; Leung and Foster, 1996; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999).

The Commission E reported that marrubinic acid works as a choleretic.

The Merck Index reported expectorant action (Budavari, 1996). The British Herbal Compendium reported expectorant and bitter tonic actions. Marrubiin and the volatile oil contribute to the expectorant action by stimulating secretion from the respiratory tract's mucous membranes (Bradley, 1992).

Uses

The Commission E approved horehound herb for loss of appetite and dyspepsia, such as bloating and flatulence.

The British Herbal Compendium indicates its use for acute bronchitis, non-productive coughs and catarrh of the respiratory tract as well as for lack of appetite and dyspepsia (Bradley, 1992). In France, it is indicated for use as a cough remedy and to treat acute benign bronchial affections (Bradley, 1992; Bruneton, 1995; DPM, 1992).

Contraindications

None known.

Side Effects

None known.

Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

Not recommended during pregnancy. No restrictions known during lactation (McGuffin et al., 1997).

Interactions with Other Drugs

None known.

Dosage and Administration

Unless otherwise prescribed: 4.5 g per day of cut herb, freshly expressed plant juice and other equivalent galenical preparations for internal use.

Dried herb: 4.5 g.

Succus: 2-6 tablespoons fresh pressed juice.

Infusion: Steep 1.5 g in 150-250 ml boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, three times daily (Meyer-Buchtela, 1999; ÖAB, 1991; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 1.5 ml, three times daily.

Syrup: 2-4 ml (BPC, 1949; Bradley, 1992).

Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 7.5 ml, three times daily.

References

BAnz. See Bundesanzeiger.

Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 308309.

Boyle, W. 1991. Official Herbs: Botanical Substances in the United States Pharmacopoeias 18201990. East Palestine, OH: Buckeye Naturopathic Press.

Bradley, P.R. (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. 53.

British Pharmaceutical Codex (BPC). 1949. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.

Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.

Budavari, S. (ed.). 1996. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, 12th ed. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck & Co, Inc. 812.

Bundesanzeiger (BAnz). 1998. Monographien der Kommission E (Zulassungs- und Aufbereitungskommission am BGA f r den humanmed. Bereich, phytotherapeutische Therapierichtung und Stoffgruppe). Kln: Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA).

Direction de la Pharmacie et du Mdicament (DPM). 1992. Bulletin Officiel (Fascicule spcial) No. 90/22 bis. [English edition]. Paris: Ministre des Affaires Sociales et de la Solidarit.

Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1985. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. 12. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications [reprint of 1898 original].

Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

Hnsel, R., K. Keller, H. Rimpler, G. Schneider (eds.). 19921994. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5th ed. Vol. 46. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.

Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vols. 12. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. Vol. 1:255256; Vol. 2:140.

Knss, W. and J. Zapp. 1998. Accumulation of furanic labdane diterpenes in Marrubium vulgare and Leonurus cardiaca. Planta Med 64:357361.

Krejci, I. and R. Zadina. 1959. Die Gallentreibende Wirkung von Marrubiin und Marrabinsure. Planta Med 7.

Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 74.

Meyer-Buchtela, E. 1999. Tee-RezepturenEin Handbuch f r Apotheker und rzte. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press.

Nadkarni, K.M. 1976. Indian Materia Medica. Bombay: Popular Prakashan. 771.

Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.

sterreichisches Arzneibuch, 1st and 2nd suppl. ( AB). 1991. Wien: Verlag der sterreichischen Staatsdruckerei.

sterreichisches Arzneibuch, Vols. 12, 1st suppl. ( AB). 19811983. Wien: Verlag der sterreichischen Staatsdruckerei.

Pharmacopoeia Hungarica, 7th ed (Ph.Hg.VII). 1986. Budapest: Medicina Konyvkiado.

Telek, E., L. Toth, L. Botz, I. Mathe. 1997. Marrubium fajok novenykemiai vizsgalata Adatok a VII. Magyar Gyogyszerkonyv Marrubii herba cikkelyehez [Chemical tests with Marrubium species. Official data on Marubii herba in Pharmacopoeia Hungarica VII]. Acta Pharm Hung 67(1):3137.

Tyler, V. 1993. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, 3rd ed. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press.

Wagner, H., S. Bladt, E.M. Zgainski. 1984. Plant Drug AnalysisA Thin Layer Chromatography Atlas. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 128, 134.

Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.

Additional Resources

Bartarelli M. 1966. Marrubium vulgare and its pharmaceutical uses. Boll Chim Farm 105(11):787798.

Cahen R. 1970. [Pharmacologic spectrum of Marrubium vulgare L.] [In French]. C R Seances Soc Biol Fil 164(7):14671472.

Karryev, M.O., C.B. Bairyev, A.S. Ataeva. 1977. Some therapeutic properties of common horehound. Chem Abstr (86): 2355.

List, P.H. and L. Hrhammer (eds.). 1976. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vol. 5. New York: Springer Verlag. 703706.

Paudler, W.W. and S. Wagner. 1963. The major alkaloid of Marrubium vulgare. London: Chem Ind.

Saleh, M.M. and K.W. Glombitza. 1989. Volatile oil of Marrubium vulgare and its anti-schistosomal activity. Planta Med 55:105.

This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E MonographsTherapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.

1) The Overview section is new information.

2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.

3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:

  • Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
  • Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
  • Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
  • Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml

4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.

This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.

Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.