According to the book “National Health and Nutrition Guide”, by Michael T. Fiore, M.D., and others, horehound is the third-leading selling herbal supplement in mainstream retail channels in the U.S. Horehound has also led the list for five consecutive years. It is considered a premium health supplement, according to National Health and Nutrition Review. So, what are the health benefits of horehound?
Besides providing a wonderful, flavorful tea, horehound contains various health benefits. Among those, the following are highlights: it is an effective relief for colds and coughs, it contains flavanoid compounds that inhibit bacteria growth, it contains calcium, iron, and silica, it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, and it provides a source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and amino acids. The tea can be taken in three ways–through the mouth, through a massage of the tongue, and through steam inhalation. Horehound comes in a variety of flavors, depending on where it is grown.
According to “American Herbalists: A Practical Guide to Herbal Tea”, there are over 150 different types of this herbal tea. In Japan, they use a variety of plants such as horehound, burdock, ginseng, and motherwort to cure various illnesses including coughs and colds. For thousands of years, the leaves have been boiled and consumed, resulting in a tea with medicinal properties. The leaves and stems are boiled until leaves are covered in a dark golden color.
In Europe, the tea is called simply “Horehound” or “Hoefehren’s Herbs”. The scientific name of this plant is” Artemisia Vulgaris”, which literally means ‘vine flower’. This plant was used by the ancient Chinese as a nutritional replacement for animal products because of its rich nutritional value. This herbal remedy was given its name from a Greek myth, where the daughter of the Greek hero Odysseus was transformed into a horehound after drinking a potion of this plant.
Horehound, despite its name, does not contain any medicinal herbs. It is made by steaming the leaves in water until they become tender, then picking and sipping the tea. The tea accomplishes its medicinal properties by increasing the stomach’s ability to digest food and thereby increasing the appetite. The soothing effects of the tea help to calm the digestive tract and help relieve occasional constipation.
As an herbal remedy, horehound acts as an expectorant. It is useful for those with sore throats and weak coughs. The bitter taste of the herb has a soothing effect and aids digestion. Horehound has also been used to treat common colds, especially in children, as an expectorant and to strengthen the cough glands and mucous membrane. To increase the appetite, use horehound mixed with cheesecloth. It can be stored in a bottle in the refrigerator for up to six weeks.