Benefits and Side Effects of Horehound
Horehound, also known as white horehound, is a plant belonging to the mint family. It has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes. Its leaves are dark green in color with hair on the underside only, giving them a grayish appearance when held up to the light. The flowers are white or purple and grow in clusters.
The plant is native to Europe and now has naturalized throughout the world. It’s most often found in areas bordering roads, near railways, abandoned homes, and farms, as well as other disturbing land. This particular plant can grow up to three feet tall.
Horehound Benefits for Your Health:
This medicinal herb was commonly used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. The Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides (40 AD – 90 AD) included it in his reference book “De Materia Medica” where he described it as an astringent herb that could be used to treat urinary tract infections, coughs, colds, and fever.
Horehound is still often recommended as a treatment for all kinds of respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. It’s also used as a diuretic, to increase the production of urine and sweat, as well as to treat bladder infections.
Horehound benefits are plentiful, but it has some side effects that you should know about. You should not use horehound if you’re taking other diuretics, as it could lead to excessive loss of potassium. It’s also contraindicated in patients with kidney disease or obstruction, as well as those with heart failure.
Horehound Benefits on skin:- For acne skin:
Horehound is said to have antibacterial properties, helping the heal of acne lesions. You can make a face cream with dried leaves and olive oil or honey.
Horehound was used in ancient & medieval times for treating scabies, leprosy, arthritis, rheumatism, bladder infections, epilepsy, bronchitis, and more.
Horehound is a plant of the mint family with a bitter taste and a strong aroma. It’s been used as a medicine for many years. The leaves can be eaten raw or dried and stored for later use. Horehounds can be chewed or used in tea to soothe the respiratory tract and stomach. The leaves may also help asthma, bronchitis, and other lung conditions.
Horehound is a plant that is good for skincare. It has been proven by science that it can be used as skin protection from UV rays, dehydration and it can be used for skin irritation treatment. In addition, you can use it as a mask to get rid of wrinkles and blemishes. Of course, this plant is also helpful in the treatment of acne scars, acne, and pimples.
Horehound Benefits on Skin: It’s good for skincare:
Horehound for UV protection:
UV radiation can cause skin aging and even lead to cancer, so it is important that we use protection. The horehound extract contains flavonoids which are very good antioxidants. When applied to the skin, they can protect against sun damage with their antioxidant properties. With this benefit, horehound cream is perfect for summer.
Horehound for Immediate Hydration:
Horehound helps the skin retain moisture, making it perfect for dry skin treatment. It’s also known to soothe irritated skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for acne-prone skin. These benefits are largely due to polysaccharides found in horehound.
Horehound for Skin Irritation Treatment:
Horehound is known to be good for irritations on the mucus membranes, like those in the lungs and stomach. The mechanism through which it works is by stopping excess production of mucus (which will help with allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma). It can also help people with colitis.
Horehound for Wrinkles and Blemishes:
Horehound contains polyphenols (plant-based nutrients) which are known to protect our skin from the sun’s UV rays, stimulate collagen production in the dermis, and delay aging. These benefits make it perfect for anti-aging products.
Horehound for Acne:
Horehound is also great for treating acne when used as an oil or water infusion when applied to the skin on a daily basis. The high levels of polysaccharides make it an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial agent which can be excellent in reducing the signs of aging, wrinkles, and blemishes. It is also good for dry skin or sensitive skin because it can give your face a healthy texture.
If you make a mask with horehound, the infusion will improve the amount and quality of collagen in your dermis, which ultimately results in healthier and more youthful-looking skin.
Moreover, inflammation will be reduced thanks to the flavonoids contained in this plant. In addition, if you use water infusions on your acne-prone skin, it will reduce inflammation and make your face healthier.
Horehound includes Vitamins A and C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Potassium which are helping to improve the skin’s health.
Horehound Side Effects And Precautions on Skin: It has some side effects, so it should be careful to use on your face.
How to Make Horehound Tea:
1. Boil water and add some horehound herb to it.
2. Let it steep for about 15 minutes before drinking the tea.
3. You can also prepare a mask with honey and horehound herbs, but you need to mix them well until they become a smooth paste.
4. Apply this mask to your face, avoiding the area around your eyes, and let it dry.
5. You need to rinse it with lukewarm water after 15-20 minutes.
6. Do this daily for getting rid of wrinkles and blemishes on your skin, but don’t exceed this number of applications in a day because horehound may have side effects.
Horehound for Acne Treatment:
If you use it to get rid of acne, then the tea is great, but only if you do not have any other conditions like diabetes because horehound can cause blood glucose levels to rise. This herb is also known to stimulate uterine contractions so it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women.
It can also affect your menstrual cycle, so you should avoid using horehound if you are suffering from any condition which affects the hormone levels in your body, like ovarian cysts or endometriosis.
Horehound for Wrinkles and Blemishes:
Horehound is a great anti-aging remedy, but it shouldn’t be used by people under 30 because the excessive stimulation of collagen synthesis can have negative effects on younger skin. Moreover, horehound might cause side effects like stomach pain or diarrhea if you eat it.
Horehound for Immediate Hydration:
If you want to use a mask with horehound extract, then you need to combine it with honey and some other moisturizing agent in order to get rid of dry skin.
Horehound for Sunburn Treatment:
Horehound is a perfect herb for sunburns because it has pain-relieving properties and anti-inflammatory effects which can help to reduce discomforting symptoms like itching and inflammation.
Horehound for Cough Treatment:
You can use horehound as a powerful expectorant, but it should only be used as a tea because pills and tinctures shouldn’t be taken orally. Moreover, if you have asthma or any other respiratory condition, then horehound can be dangerous for you because it stimulates respiration.
Horehound Side Effects on Digestion:
Horehound reduces the production of saliva, but if you want to use horehound for curing stomach problems, then make sure that you drink enough water after taking horehound tea or tincture. Moreover, if you take horehound for something else than stomach problems, then avoid eating large quantities of this plant because it has laxative effects.
Horehound Side Effects on Uterus:
Horehound is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding because it can stimulate uterine contractions which may lead to miscarriage. Moreover, some people say that it can affect your menstrual cycle, so just avoid using horehound if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Horehound Side Effects on Heart:
Horehound may cause cardiac arrhythmia and other heart problems because it contains cardiac glycosides which can change the way that your heart beats. If you want to use horehound for something, then talk to your doctor because he or she can tell you if the horehound is safe for you.
Horehound Benefits for Lungs:
It is a good expectorant that is why it can be used for coughs, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. It has anti-inflammatory properties which make it useful as an herbal supplement in order to reduce discomforting symptoms like pain and inflammation. Moreover, horehound might help you to improve your lung function because of its mucus-thinning properties.
Horehound Side Effects on Fertility:
Horehound stimulates uterine contractions which means that it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage. Moreover, horehound helps to treat some fertility problems like leukorrhea, but if you suffer from this condition, talk to your doctor before using horehound.
Horehound tea side effects:
Horehound tea can be used for respiratory problems like asthma and other conditions which occur when the respiratory tract is inflamed. It has expectorant properties which make it effective against coughs caused by cold or flu. Moreover, if you are suffering from bronchitis, horehound might help you because it has anti-inflammatory effects.