Horehound / Coughs and Colds

Herb Of The Week / Horehound / Coughs and Colds

With fall fast approaching, especially in Minnesota, Maine, Montana
etc, the herb-of-the-week this week is horehound (Marrabium vulgare)
for the coughs and respiratory problems associated with cold and flu.
Horehound is native to Europe but now grows in many parts of the
world including North America in waste places, in upland fields and
pastures, and along roadsides in coastal areas of the U.S., Canada,
and Mexico. Horehound owes its name to the Ancient Greeks who
reportedly relied on horehound to treat mad-dog bite, which explains
the "hound" in this plant's name. But over time, it was realized that
this plants main benefit was in its power to control coughing. It has
the ability to make a cough more productive by stimulating phlegm
(mucus) output in the airways. Colds, bronchitis, and other minor
respiratory problems often respond to horehound treatment as well. It
combines the action of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus
while promoting mucus production and thus expectoration. It has been
used in bygone days for the treatment of whooping cough. It is the
chemical marrubiin in it which studies show has phlegm-loosening
(expectorant) properties.


More than a few teas, lozenges, and syrups are made from its wooly
leaves and white flowering tops. One product that immediately comes to
mind for me is Fisherman's friend (sometimes sold at Walgreen's). It
is a lozenge that contains cayenne pepper and horehound amongst a few
other natural ingredients and works amazingly well for me. Horehound
is a common expectorant component of European made herbal cough
remedies, such as Ricola® lozenges, that are sold in the United States.


I also use horseradish as an expectorant (for coughing up phlegm) and
it too works amazingly well. The problem horseradish is that you will
continue to cough up phlegm as long as you use it because it is
CONSTANTLY working - whether you are sick or not. So you have to stop
eating it to see if your "level of phlegm" has returned to normal.


WARNINGS and CAUTIONS:

While there are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with
horehound...

Horehound may dangerously increase the blood sugar-lowering effects of
drugs designed to lower blood glucose, such as insulin and oral
anti-diabetic agents. Avoid combining horehound with these medicines.

Avoid taking more that commonly recommended. The marrubiin in it could
potentially cause heart irregularities in large doses.

Limited research in animals indicates that substances in horehound
stimulate the uterus. To be safe, pregnant women should avoid the herb.


Actually these interactions serve to prove that herbal medicine is not
"safe" enough to be used unwisely and should be used as respectably
and responsibly as prescription medication.


But.....

Until next time remember .... most illness (upwards of 80% according
to experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can
weaken your immune system and your ability to fight off disease:


By good utilization of search engine technology, we can look up
information as in depth as we desire in our own free time. As we
mention all the time, with every post, that you can research anything
mentioned in this newsletter on your own. Some good search engines are
www.mamma.com or www.google.com. or www.dogpile.com or
www.askjeeves.com ...etc. By entering one or more keywords you can do
your own research.


1. Anxiety, depression, anger, resentment, guilt and other STRESS
factors
2. Improper and/or inadequate NUTRITION habits
3. A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough EXERCISE
4. Not enough rest and quality SLEEP time

The United States Surgeon General warned Americans in a landmark 1988
report on Nutrition and Health that "diet related diseases account for
68% of U.S. deaths"


Remember, we ALWAYS recommend that you ALWAYS consult a professional
herbalist, naturopathologist or physician. We are just passing along
what we hope to be useful information.


Bye-Bye,

Q