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Marrubium vulgare
  • White Horehound

a perennial member of the Marrubium genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Marrubium vulgare has 0 edible uses listed
Marrubium vulgare has 0 material uses listed
Marrubium vulgare has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves are used as a seasoning[1]. Bitter and pungent, they are sometimes used to flavour herb beer or liqueurs[2][3]. Horehound ale is a fairly well-known drink made from the leaves[2][4]. A mild pleasantly flavoured tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[3], it is a favourite cough remedy[2][5].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant and used as a flavouring in liqueurs[5].

The plant has been used as a cure for cankerworm in trees[4]. No more details are given but it is probably a strong infusion of the flowering shoots, or the essential oil, that is used[K].

The growing plant repels flies[6].

Unknown part

Essential
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

White horehound is a well-known and popular herbal medicine that is often used as a domestic remedy for coughs, colds, wheeziness etc[2][7]. The herb apparently causes the secretion of a more fluid mucous, readily cleared by coughing[7].

The leaves and young flowering stems are antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, strongly expectorant, hepatic, stimulant and tonic[2][8][9][10][11][4]. Horehound is a very valuable pectoral, expectorant and tonic that can be safely used by children as well as adults[2]. It is often made into a syrup or candy in order to disguise its very bitter flavour, though it can also be taken as a tea[2]. As a bitter tonic, it increases the appetite and supports the function of the stomach[7]. It can also act to normalize heart rhythm[7]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried[4].

The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Plantago lanceolata or P. major[12].

Unknown part

Antidote
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Cholagogue
Diaphoretic
Digestive
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Hepatic
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow April/May or August/September in a cold frame. Germination can be slow and erratic[13]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the following spring[K].

Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Division in spring[14]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Marrubium vulgare. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

White horehound is an easily grown plant that succeeds in most well-drained soils[13], though it flourishes best in a poor dry soil[14][2]. Another report says that the plant flourishes best where there is plenty of nitrogen in the soil[15]. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil conditions[4] and requires a warm sunny position if it is to do well[16].

Often grown in the herb garden and sometimes cultivated commercially as a medicinal herb[2][17]. If the plant is cut back after flowering it will normally produce a second crop of leaves[4]. The fresh leaves have a pronounced musky smell, though this is lost once the plant is dried[18]. A good bee plant[14].

White horehound is a good companion plant for growing near tomatoes[19]. The tomatoes crop for a longer period and also produce a heavier crop[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Marrubium vulgare. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Marrubium vulgare.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Marrubium vulgare
Genus
Marrubium
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[2][7][8][9][10][11][4][12]
Material uses & Functions
[5][4][6]
Botanic
[20][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Marrubium vulgare7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.10 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    12. ? 12.012.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    16. ? Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    17. ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    18. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    19. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    20. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Marrubium_vulgare&oldid=78612"
    Facts about "Marrubium vulgare"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusMarrubium +
    Has binomial nameMarrubium vulgare +
    Has common nameWhite Horehound +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageMarrubium vulgare7.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntidote +, Antiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Cholagogue +, Diaphoretic +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Hepatic +, Stimulant + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageMarrubium vulgare7.jpg +
    Has search namemarrubium vulgare + and white horehound +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMarrubium vulgare +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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