Fig. 1030. Kinds of Horehound (1-4)

The Description.

            1. White Horehound bringeth forth very many stalks four-square, a cubit high, covered over with a thin whitish downiness: whereupon are placed by couples at certain distances, thick whitish leaves somewhat round, wrinkled and nicked on the edges, and covered over with the like downiness; from the bosoms of which leaves come forth small flowers of a faint purplish colour, set round about the stalk in round whorls, which turn into sharp prickly husks after the flowers be past. The whole plant is of a strong savour, but not unpleasant: the root is thready.

            2. The second kind of Horehound hath sundry crooked slender stalks, divided into many small branches covered over with a white hoariness or cottony down. The leaves are likewise hoary and cottony, longer and narrower than the precedent, lightly indented about the edges, and sharply pointed like the Turkey Balm, and of the same bigness, having small whorls of white flowers, and prickly roundels or seed-vessels set about the stalks by certain distances. The root is likewise thready.

            3. Spanish Horehound hath a stiff hoary and hairy stalk, dividing itself at the bottom into two wings or more arms, and likewise toward the top into two others; whereupon are placed by couples at certain spaces fair broad leaves, more round than any of the rest, and likewise more woolly and hairy. The flowers grow at the top of the stalks, spike fashion, composed of small gaping flowers of a purple colour. The whole plant hath the savour of Stœchados.

            4. Candy Horehound hath a thick and hard root, with many hairy threads fastened thereunto; from which rise up immediately rough square stalks, set confusedly with long leaves of a hoary colour, of a most pleasant strong smell. The flowers grow toward the top of the stalks in chaffy roundels, of a whitish colour.

The Place.

            The first of these Horehounds, being the common kind, groweth plentifully in all places of England, near unto old walls, highways, and beaten paths, in untilled places. It groweth in all other countries likewise, where it altereth according to the situation and nature of the countries; for commonly that which grows in Candy and in Hungary is much whiter, and of a sweeter smell, and the leaves oftentimes narrower and lesser than that which groweth in England and these Northern regions.

The Time.

            They flower in July and August, and that in the second year after the sowing of them.

The Names.

            Horehound is called in Latin, Marrubium: in shops, Prassium, and also Marrubium. There be certain bastard names found in Apuleius, as Melittena, Labeonia, and Ulceraria: in Italian, Marrubio: in Spanish, Marruvio: in Dutch, Malrone: in French, Marubin: in English, Horehound. Clusius calls the third Ocimastrum valentinum.

The Temperature.

            Horehound (as Galen teacheth) is hot in the second degree, and dry in the third, and of a bitter taste.

The Virtues.

            A. Common Horehound boiled in water and drunk, openeth the liver and spleen, cleanseth the breast and lungs, and prevails greatly against an old cough, the pain of the side, spitting of blood, the phthisic and ulcerations of the lungs.

            B. The same boiled in wine and drunk, bringeth down the terms, expelleth the secondine, afterbirth, or dead child, and also easeth those that have sore and hard labour in child-bearing.

            C. Syrup made of the green fresh leaves and sugar, is a most singular remedy against the cough and wheezing of the lungs.

            D. The same syrup doth wonderfully and above credit ease such as have lain long sick of any consumption of the lungs, as hath been often proved by the learned physicians of our London College.

            E. It is likewise good for them that have drunk poison, or that have been bitten of serpents. The leaves are applied with honey to cleanse foul and filthy ulcers. It stayeth and keepeth back the pearl or web in the eyes.

            F. The juice pressed forth of the leaves, and hardened in the sun, is very good for the same things, especially if it be mixed with a little wine and honey; and dropped into the eyes, it helps them, and cleareth the sight.

            G. Being drawn up into the nostrils it cleanseth the yellowness of the eyes, and stayeth the running and watering of them.