Horehound
(Marrubium vulgare)
Also know as Marrubium
Botanical Information
A hairy greenish-white perennial in the Mint family with whorls of small two-lipped white flowers.
Working with Horehound
Part(s) Used
Flowering Tops
Herb Forms
Tincture, capsule, bulk herb.
Horehound is a good expectorant and is commonly used for the respiratory system in coughs, colds, asthma, sore throat, and fever. As a bitter, it is used to stimulate the appetite and promote the flow of bile. Horehound is believed to correct irregular heart beat. Horehound candy was popular in the past as a cough lozenge.
To make your own horehound candy at home:
Make a strong tea by adding a handful of fresh or dried horehound tops to 2 quarts of water. Simmer in a covered pot on low heat for about half an hour, or until a strong dark tea is made. Strain off the liquid and discard the spent herb. Simmer the tea under low heat until reduced to about 1 cup of tea concentrate. Add 1 cup of organic brown rice syrup or barley malt syrup and simmer until a candy thermometer shows that it will harden into rock candy. This takes about 20-30 minutes. The temperature will not rise dramatically until all the water is gone–sugar boils at a much higher temperature! After the preparation has cooled somewhat, but is still liquid, pour the syrup into candy molds, or a pyrex glass baking disk to about 1/2" deep. Either let the candies cool or if using the baking dish, wait until the candy is semi-solid and then score into small squares with a butter knife. Immediately place the tray into the freezer. When completely cool, take it out and break up the small candies. They can then be wrapped up into individual doses with small pieces of wax paper. These candies will be much stronger than commercial ones, but they will not be particularly sweet. If more sweetness is desired, try adding a little honey or raw sugar. Using only honey for the candies doesn’t work because honey candies will be too sticky when they are finished.
The candies are one of the best cough remedies–kids and adults alike love the taste. If they are too bitter, try using less of the tea concentrate in the next batch, but remember that the effective principles are in the bitter fraction.
Horehound has a taste of BITTER and a temperature of COOL.
Cautions
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Conditions treated with Horehound
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
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Condition
Treatment Support
expectorant, antitussive
Application
syrup, tea, tincture
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.