| Marrubium vulgare | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Marrubium |
| Species: | M. vulgare |
| Binomial name | |
| Marrubium vulgare L. |
|
Marrubium vulgare (White Horehound or Common Horehound) is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia.
It is a gray-leaved herbaceous perennial plant, somewhat resembling mint in appearance, which grows to 25–45 cm tall. The leaves are 2–5 cm long with a densely crinkled surface, and are covered in downy hairs. The flowers are white, borne in clusters on the upper part of the main stem.
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Horehound is used to make hard lozenge candies that are considered by folk medicine to aid digestion, soothe sore throats, and relieve inflammation. [1]
Horehound was introduced to southern Australia in the 19th century as a medicinal herb. It became a weed of native grasslands and pastures where it was introduced with settlers’ livestock, and was first declared under noxious weeds legislation. It now appears to have reached its full potential distribution.
It occupies disturbed or overgrazed ground, and is favoured by grazing because it is highly unpalatable to livestock. It may persist in native vegetation that has been grazed.
Marrubium vulgare is also used as a natural grasshopper repellent in agriculture.
According to John Gower in Book 7 of the Confessio Amantis, this plant was the herb of the fourth star of Nectanabus' astrology, Capella. Gower uses the older name, Alhaiot (VII:1338).