What Is Horehound Tea Used For?

Horehound tea is a comforting beverage with an intriguing spicy flavor. It is said to have health benefits including relieving sore throats, coughs and congestion.

Identification

White horehound is in the mint family, which gives it the characteristic square stem seen also in basil and coleus. There are three plants commonly known as horehound. White horehound, or Marrubium vulgare, is the plant most people mean when they use the term "horehound."

Components

Horehound contains diterpenes, which are the primary components of resins, along with a multi-component volative oil, several flavonoids and an alkaloid.

Preparation

Horehound tea is made by pouring very hot or boiling water over the dried leaves of the white horehound plant. A good infusion is made with an ounce of horehound per pint of water. Steeping too long can lead to bitterness.

Effects

Horehound tea may alleviate symptoms of sore throat, especially pain and itching. In addition, horehound tea is said to act as an expectorant, loosening phlegm in the lungs to ease breathing. Finally, horehound tea is regarded as a good palliative for colds.

Cautions

Although white horehound is not generally known for causing adverse reactions when consumed as tea, its overall safety in large doses has not been documented. It is also important to certain that you are drinking white horehound, not its more powerful and potentially toxic cousin, black horehound (Ballota nigra).

References

• Old Fashioned Living
• Chemical dictionary of economic plants