MEDICINAL PLANTS

Horehound is a perennial plant that grows as kills. It has many stems angled, simple or slightly branched, the leaves are opposite, white, rounded, flowers are white and are grouped in large numbers in the upper leaf axils. It's a very hairy plant gives off a distinctive odor similar to the aroma of an apple. The plant is native to southern Europe and usually grows spontaneously in abandoned places, roadsides, at the foot of walls, the rubble, and so on. In Spain it can be found throughout the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.

FLOWERING

The grass flowers in May, extending well into the summer. From the collection of interest on all the leaves and flowering tops, which are cut by hand in full bloom. This operation can be repeated several times within the same period. After harvesting, the stalks are dried in thin layers, shaded and well ventilated, or dryer at a maximum temperature of 40 grados CelsiusC.

APPLICATIONS

In the flowering tops are small amounts of substance, some resins, waxes, tannins, a glycoside and saponin as an acid. It also appears a bitter principle. It is this latter substance which gives the plant properties appetizers, digestive, soothing and expectorant; have marked actions on the bronchi, partly due to the saponins. As also is high in potassium salts, has a mild diuretic effect. She also believes a good antiarrhythmic and purifying. It is especially useful in bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, oliguria, obesity, tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias (for the latter action is often associated with hawthorn). This plant is used mainly to treat respiratory tract conditions, especially in regard to their beneficial effect on the expulsion of mucus. It also recommends that women should rule painful.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. A dessert spoon per cup. Se prepara la infusión y se toman tres tazas diarias, antes o después de las comidas.
Medicinal wine. With one liter of wine and a small amount of flowering tops, is left to macerate for a week and then filtered. It is recommended to take 2 glasses a day, after dinner.
Bath horehound. In 6 l. Water begins to boil 1 kg. Of tops of horehound, let it boil 5 minutes, strained and added to a bath already prepared. This bath is recommended for certain skin conditions. En farmacia se puede adquirir la planta troceada, en forma de cápsulas, en comprimidos y en tintura. It is also composed part of presentations associated with other plants.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Labiatae
HABITAT: At the edge of roads
FLOWERING: May
PART USED: Leaves and flowering tops
CASTILIAN: Juanrubio, malva de sapo
CATALAN: Malrubi, malroig
BASQUE: Lekugi, lekungibedarr
GALICIAN: Hierba dos lombos

USES

Moderate Bronchitis, Diuretic Moderate, Antiarrhythmic Leve.