Botanical Profile
White horehound is a perennial aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia and naturalised elsewhere. The grey-green plant has hairy leaves and small white flowers arranged in whorls.
The aerial parts are used as the herbal raw material. The plant has a characteristically bitter taste, and correct identity, harvest stage, drying and purity are important quality criteria.
Phytochemistry
The characteristic bitter diterpene marrubiin is one of the best-known constituents of white horehound. The herb also contains other diterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids and components of the volatile fraction.
The phytochemical profile varies with origin, harvest and processing; extraction solvent determines the representation of polar and less polar constituents.
Traditional Uses
White horehound has a long European and Mediterranean herbal tradition and appears in historical herbals and bitter herbal preparations. Traditional uses should be understood as historical and pharmacognostic context rather than as modern product claims.
Current Research
Research focuses on marrubiin and related diterpenes, botanical quality control and experimental studies of defined extracts. Analytical methods support identification and comparison of raw-material qualities.
Sources
- Plants of the World Online. Kew Science: Marrubium vulgare L.
- EMA/HMPC and European pharmacognostic literature on Marrubii herba.
- Scientific literature on marrubiin and Marrubium vulgare.
Notice
The information presented in this botanical profile has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief from botanical, phytochemical, historical and scientific sources. It is intended solely for general professional information and initial orientation.
The content does not constitute an assurance of specific properties, effects, qualities or possible uses of products or extracts. In particular, it does not constitute a guarantee, a statement of suitability, or a statement regarding marketability, permissibility or usability in specific applications or markets.
Assessment of the suitability of a raw material or extract for a particular intended use, as well as compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, is the sole responsibility of the respective user.