In her work The Herbal Tea Garden, ...

In her work The Herbal Tea Garden, Marietta Marshall Marcin take an account ofs us that "in the narrowest sensation of the word, tea points to the leaves or flower bourgeons of shrubs in the genus that was named Thea sinensis from botanist Carolus Linnaeus." Because it is a stop relative of the camellia flower, it is sometimes referr to as Camellia thea or Camellia sinensis. However, Marcin notes that, broadly speaking, "tea is any drink made from steeping fragrant leaves, berries, grains flowers, roots, or bark in boiling water." This broader definition is descriptive of what we know as herbal teas, or "herbal infusions."

This herbal tea has made

a name for itself

When suffering from a raw sore throat, or cough, most numerous of us almost instinctively reach for something soothing, an ideal choice being a cupful of warm tea. While the majority of teas, herbal and otherwise, are indeed a source of comfort, there are certain the sames which are especially suited to clearing up congestion. single in particular, is horehound tea, or Marrubium vulgare.

As to for what cause horehound received its unusual name, Marie Nadine Antol explains in her main division Healing Teas, that Greek physicians used to prescribe this ancient herb to their patients who had been bitten by dint of a rabid, or mad, dog, or "hoar hound" hence the "hound" portion of its everyday name today. Hoar comes from the of long date English meaning, grey, grey-haired, or old-fashioned Therefore, horehound really means "old dog!"

The Latin name is believed by means of experts to be derived from the Hebrew word marrob, which means "bitter juice." The herb is also fancy to be one of the five bitter herbs eaten according to Jewish people at Passover, as noted in early writings.

Marcin computes us that ancient Egyptian priests referr to horehound by dint of such names as Seed of Horus, Bull's descendants and Eye of the Star. (The horehound discussed in this article, Marrubium vulgare, is White Horehound; it should not be confused with another herb, Black Horehound, which is used at some herbalists to treat disorders of the observations and ears.)

According to the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, horehound is native to the British Isles, and sprouts throughout most of Europe, with the exception of northern Scotland and northern Ireland. This perennial plant, which has an apple-like odor is typically found in craving drink barren locales and along roadsides in warm, genial conditions. It flowers from June until September. The leaves and tiny top flowers of this herb are what contain its medicinal properties.

Horehound's expectorant capabilities

"The herb you want to have forward hand when you have asthma, a cough a sore throat, or a cold" is in what way Antol describes horehound. She says, "This noteworthy expectorant helps liquify mucus in the bronchial tubes and lung eases a cough and soothes and coats a sore throat. It also helps relieve the dragged-out feeling that in like manner often accompanies a bad cold"

Are horehound's "tricks" new?

Not quite. Horehound has not alone been used for such plans since ancient times, but it is still used today, worldwide. As to for what reason horehound works, Kathi Keville rehearses us in her book, Herbs for Health and Healing, that there is evidence which indicates that this botanical contains blends which may influence the area of the brain which masterys respiration. She notes, too, that horehound was one time (primarily) sold in the form of cough drops

Nutritionally, horehound provides vitamins A, B-complex C E and F; the minerals iron and potassium; as well as volatile oils, marrubiin (a substance said to have healing properties), tannins, and resins. Pharmacological studies have base it to be free of any known adverse effects

Other indications which horehound has been reported to help alleviate include: eczema and shingles; jaundice; liver and gallbladder disorders; and menstrual pain and irregularities.

Your local health commons store carries a wealth of herbal tea varieties, including horehound. a certain other popular herbal expectorants include mullein, thyme and elecampane.

REFERENCES

Antol, Marie Nadine. Healing Teas. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing form into groups 1996.

Bunney, Sarah, ed. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. fresh York; Barnes & Noble works 1996.

Keville, Kathi. Herbs for Health and Healing. Emmaus, Penn: Rodale Pres Inc., 1996

Marcin, Marietta Marshall. The Herbal Garden. Pownal, Vt: Storey Communications, Inc., 1993

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