Marrubium vulgare
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare, commonly known as white horehound, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Renowned for its medicinal properties, it has historically been used to treat respiratory ailments, such as coughs and bronchitis. This aromatic plant is valued in traditional herbalism for its soothing expectorant qualities.
- Scientific name: Marrubium vulgare
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Marrubium. Consequently, its specific scientific name is Marrubium vulgare.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Marrubium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Marrubium vulgare, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is referred to as Szanta zwyczajna, while in French-speaking regions, it is called Marrube blanc. In Russia, it is known as Шандра обыкновенная, and in Serbia, it goes by the name Očajnica. Additionally, in the Quechua language, it is identified as Yuraq itapallu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Szanta zwyczajna | Wikidata |
| qu | Yuraq itapallu | Wikidata |
| fr | Marrube blanc | Wikidata |
| ru | Шандра обыкновенная | Wikidata |
| sr-el | Očajnica | Wikidata |
| sr-ec | Очајница | Wikidata |
| ro | Unguraș | Wikidata |
| ca | marrubí | Wikidata |
| hu | orvosi pemetefű | Wikidata |
| fi | valkohurtanminttu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. It can also be found extending further north into Sweden. Additionally, the species is located within Middle Europe, specifically in Austria. These locations highlight its preference for temperate European climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as white horehound, is a perennial herb where the entire plant can be utilized for various therapeutic purposes. Most medicinal applications focus on the aerial parts, which include the stems and flowers, but the most significant component is the leaves. These leaves are rich in bioactive compounds and contain specific essential oils that contribute to the plant's characteristic aroma and pharmacological potency. While the roots may also be harvested, the concentrated therapeutic value is most frequently derived from the foliage and the aromatic essences extracted from the above-ground structures.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Marrubium vulgare has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include marrubiin, flavonoids, polyphenols, 9,13-epoxy-labd-14-ene, chlorogenic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| marrubiin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 9,13-epoxy-labd-14-ene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E-caryophyllene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Forsythoside B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Marrubium vulgare has 20 reported activities identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic, Nephrotoxic.
- Total activities
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephrotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibiotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Marrubium vulgare has 44 reported medicinal uses identified across 51 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, Acute Kidney Injury.
- Total uses
- 44
- Scientific sources
- 51
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acute Kidney Injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |