Herb, Horehound
49 in stock
Quick Overview
HERB, Horehound –
Marrubium vulgare
FULL SUN Native to southern Europe, central and western Asia and north Africa, horehound, named after the Egyptian god of sky and light, Horus, has been cultivated for thousands of years. Brought to the US in the 1700s, Horehound became very popular with the Shakers. The leaves of the 2-3 ft. tall plant have eased sore throats and coughs for millennia. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Rows should be 18 in. apart. When seedlings are 2 in. high, thin, leaving 18 in. between plants. Harvest throughout the season by cutting stems off the plants, aggressively. Never cut more than 1/3 of the stems
| Type | Spacing | Planting Depth | Days to Germination | Maturity |
| Perennial | 18 in. | 1/8 in. | 14-21 | 75 |
Herb, Horehound
For millennia, horehound has been credited with curing a number of ailments. Most of these claims are unfounded. However, one is not. Horehound is an effective cough suppressant and a soothing agent for sore throats. Horehound cough syrups have been used since the 1600s. The horehound plant contains substantial amounts of tannin, marrubin (which does not exist in the living plant but is created when the plant undergoes stress during the extraction process), Vitamin C and mucilage. Some combination of these chemicals appears to suppress coughs, soothe sore throats, to act as a purgative and a laxative.
Horehound is mostly grown for its flowers, but the plants do not flower until the second year. During the first year, the leaves can be harvested and dried to make tea and infusions.
Horehound candy is easy to make. Create a strong horehound tea from the leaves of the plant to which you add sugar. Bring the liquid to a boil until it thickens. Pour the liquid into a pan lines with parchment paper and allow to harden at room temperature. Break the candy into pieces and store in a glass or plastic container.
