Who still knows horehound? Once a staple in every monastery garden, familiar from every medieval herbal, today hardly a household name – Common Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is one of the most underestimated herbs of our time. Yet Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) already wrote about this plant in her Physica: "Whoever suffers in the throat, and also whoever has a cough, let them drink this horehound wine and the cough will yield."
Horehound belongs to the mint family – a relative of sage, lavender and peppermint. As one of the best-known Hildegard herbs, it stands in the monastery tradition for a centuries-old lineage. That it has fallen into obscurity has no good reason – it is high time to bring it back. In 2018 it was named Medicinal Plant of the Year.
In this article you will learn everything about horehound: its significance in the herbal tradition, how to prepare horehound tea correctly, and what Hildegard von Bingen specifically wrote about this plant.
Expert Opinion: What Does Science Say About Horehound?
"Horehound has nowadays fallen somewhat into oblivion as a medicinal plant. But it has a lot to offer: Dioscorides already wrote that it draws mucus from the chest, and Paracelsus called it the 'physician of the lungs'."
Source: PhytoDoc – Horehound: How the Medicinal Plant of the Year 2018 Works, professionally reviewed by Prof. Dr. Michael Wink, medicinal plant expert and co-author of the standard work "Handbuch der Arzneipflanzen" (Wiss. Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2015).
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also officially recognises horehound herb (Marrubii herba) as a traditional herbal medicinal product.
The active compound Marrubiin – a diterpene bitter substance found only in horehound – is today pharmacologically well characterised. The Monastery Medicine Research Group at the University of Würzburg describes it as a plant of great cultural and historical interest that has fallen into undeserved obscurity from several perspectives.
Horehound – the Forgotten Herb of the Monasteries
Common Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows between 20 and 80 cm tall, bears silvery-grey, velvety hairy leaves and small white flowers arranged in dense whorls around the stem. Its scent is aromatic and spicy, the taste intensely bitter. Even the botanical name gives a clue: Marrubium derives from the Hebrew marrub (= bitter juice).
Originally native to the western Mediterranean region, horehound was cultivated throughout Europe in the Middle Ages – no monastery garden was without it. The famous "Lorsch Pharmacopoeia" of the 8th century lists it, as does the "Hortulus" by the monk Walahfrid Strabo of Reichenau Monastery. And finally, Hildegard von Bingen also describes it extensively in her Physica: as "warming and drying in the second degree" – a typical classification in her teaching about the plant world.
Since the 19th century, horehound has increasingly fallen into oblivion – undeservedly so. In Germany it is now rare in the wild and even endangered, which prohibits collection from nature. However, it can be grown well in one's own herb garden. It is available commercially as a dried herb and in finished products.
Active Constituents of Horehound Herb
The most important constituents of horehound are its diterpene bitter compounds, above all Marrubiin (minimum content according to EMA: 0.7% in the drug), as well as premarrubiin and marrubic acid. In addition there are up to 7% tannins, ursolic acid, choline, flavonoids and around 0.05% essential oils with limonene and camphene. This combination makes horehound a classic amarum-aromaticum (aromatic bitter) – just like wormwood, which plays a similar role in Hildegard's teaching.
Growing Horehound in the Monastery Garden
In one's own garden, horehound is a low-maintenance, perennial enrichment. It prefers a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained, not overly nutrient-rich soil. It does not tolerate waterlogging. It can be grown from seed or by dividing older plants. In mild winters it even retains its foliage – allowing fresh leaves to be harvested year-round. The upper, flowering shoot tips are harvested, ideally from May to August.
Matching this article
Horehound in the Herbal Tradition: Why Paracelsus Called It the "Physician of the Lungs"
Paracelsus called it the "physician of the lungs" – and this historical epithet shows what significance horehound was accorded in the herbal tradition. The respiratory tract has been central for centuries, yet horehound was described even more versatilely in historical records.
Herb rich in bitter compounds: Marrubiin is the central active constituent. The EMA recognises horehound herb as a traditional herbal medicinal product – details can be found in the official EMA monograph.
Described versatilely in herbalism: Due to its high bitter compound content, horehound belongs in the herbal tradition to the classic bitter herbs. The tannins and essential oils contribute to its characteristic flavour. Learn more about the role of bitter compounds in Hildegard's teaching in our article on herbalism according to Hildegard.
Noted in research: Laboratory studies investigate the constituents of horehound extracts. The Monastery Medicine Research Group at the University of Würzburg describes horehound as a plant of great cultural and historical interest.
Warming according to Hildegard von Bingen: Hildegard described horehound as "warm and drying in the second degree". In her teaching on the four humours, this denotes a specific classification within her system – a fascinating insight into medieval thinking. For a deeper understanding of Hildegard's teaching, it is worth looking at our overview article on the teachings of Hildegard von Bingen.
Hildegard's tradition for ear ailments: Beyond the respiratory tract, Hildegard von Bingen also described horehound for deaf ears: the herb should be boiled in water, the warm steam then directed into the ears, and the warm herb applied as a compress around the ears and head. Whether this application withstands scientific scrutiny is debated – but it shows how comprehensively Hildegard assessed the potential of this plant.
Note: Horehound herb should not be used in cases of gastric and intestinal ulcers. Caution is advised during pregnancy. Those taking medications should consult their doctor. Hildegard's teaching is based on traditions and empirical values; an effect has not been equally demonstrated by scientific criteria for all traditional areas of application.
Horehound Tea: Preparation According to Hildegard's Tradition
Tea is the classic and simplest form of preparation – and the one that Hildegard von Bingen herself resorted to most frequently.
The Classic Hildegard Recipe: Horehound Wine
Hildegard von Bingen recommended horehound preferably not as a water-based tea, but as a wine extract – a preparation that remains alive in Hildegard's tradition to this day. Her recorded recipe reads: boil horehound herb together with fennel and dill in wine, strain and drink warm.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Role in Hildegard's Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Horehound herb (dried) | 3 tbsp (approx. 6–8 g) | Central bitter herb in this recipe |
| Fennel herb or seeds | 1 tbsp | Favourite spice in Hildegard's teaching |
| Dill herb | 1 tbsp | Warming ingredient in the monastery tradition |
| White wine (dry) | 500 ml | Carrier for the active constituents |
Preparation of the Horehound Wine
Bring the herbs and wine to the boil and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes. Then strain through a fine sieve or cloth and keep warm in a thermos flask. Our horehound mixed herb package already contains the ready-made combination of horehound, fennel, dill and mullein flowers – tailored to this Hildegard recipe.
Horehound Tea with Water – the Alcohol-Free Variant
Those who do not wish to consume alcohol can also prepare horehound as a classic water-based tea:
Ingredients: 1–2 teaspoons of dried horehound herb (approx. 1.5–3 g) per 150 ml of boiling water.
Preparation: Place the horehound herb in a tea strainer or teapot, pour boiling water over it and leave to steep for 5–10 minutes. Then strain.
Use: 1 cup between meals, sweetened to taste with a teaspoon of honey. Daily dose according to the EMA monograph: up to 4.5 g of horehound herb.
The duration of use should not exceed 4 weeks without a break. Children under 12 years of age should in principle only receive the water-based tea (never the wine extract) and only after consulting a doctor.
Horehound as a Gargle
In the herbal tradition, horehound tea was also used as a gargle. Simply gargle with the cooled (but still warm) tea several times a day without swallowing it. The tannins provide an astringent sensation in the mouth.
Horehound in Hildegard's Teaching: Combinations & Herbal Tradition
Hildegard von Bingen never used horehound as a single herb, but always in combination. Her best-known recipe combines it with fennel and dill – a trio that has also been preserved in our horehound mixed herb product.
In the monastery tradition, horehound was also frequently used in herbal wine elixirs – similarly to the hart's tongue tonic, which plays a special role in Hildegard's writings.
Beyond horehound, Hildegard's teaching also features hyssop, Bertram and masterwort as frequently mentioned herbs. An overview can be found in our herb and spice range according to Hildegard's teaching.
Conclusion: Horehound – a Monastery Treasure That Deserves Rediscovery
Horehound is an extraordinary herb: millennia old in its tradition, recognised by the EMA as a traditional herbal medicinal product, and yet almost forgotten. Anyone interested in the herbalism of Hildegard von Bingen cannot overlook this plant.
Whether as warm horehound wine with fennel and dill following an ancient monastery recipe, as tea with honey, or as part of a conscious herbal tradition – horehound fits many situations. No wonder Paracelsus called it the "physician of the lungs" and Hildegard described it as a warming herb for a wide variety of traditional applications.
Browse our herb and spice range and discover our organic horehound herb as well as the ready-made horehound mixed herb combination according to Hildegard's recipe. Also discover our complete range according to Hildegard's teaching.
