Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Marrubium vulgare L.

Family

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

White Horehound

Arabic Name(s)

ju'seis barri جعصاص بري

Hebrew Name(s)

marmar matzuy
marubion matzuy

מַרְמַר מָצוּי
מַרוּביוּן מָצוּי

Life Form

Chamaephyte

Habitat

Nutrient-rich soils
ruderal

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Marrubium vulgare L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Eczema	Anti-inflammatory	Cook non-woody parts in sesame oil, prepare salve & apply to lesions.	Aerial parts	Z
Dermatological	Open boils & purulent lesions	Anti-Infective, Vulnerary	Cook plant in water & apply to affected area with wet cloth soaked in the liquid.	Aerial parts	Z
Endocrine/ Metabolic	Diabetes	Hypoglycemic	Use aerial parts. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)	Aerial parts	Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain	Carminative	Cook plant in water & drink.	Aerial parts	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Rheumatic pain	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	1. Add plant to bathwater + salt. 2. Use as incense prepared + salt + "shabba" (alum: hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminium).	Aerial parts	Z
Respiratory	Expectorant	Expectorant	Decoct plant in water & drink.	Aerial parts	Z
Wound Healing	Antiseptic for skin & wounds/ lesions	Anti-septic	Apply fresh plant juice to affected area.	Aerial parts	Z
Wound Healing	Heal wounds & skin lesions	Vulnerary	Cook non-woody parts in sesame oil, prepare salve & apply to lesion.	Aerial parts	Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Z mentions that in Yemen Marrubium vulgare is also used used for diabetes.

Cautions

Marrubium vulgare contains the diterpene lactone, marrubine which may cause cardiac arrthymias, act as a laxative in large doses & affect blood pressure & blood glucose levels. Avoid in pregnancy, breast feeding & if taking conventional medication for diabetes. Juice can be irritant to skin causing dermatosis.