Horehound

Horehound has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years. The most common application of horehound is as a cough suppressant or cold medicine; as such, it can be found in Ricola cough drops. If you have your own supply of horehound leaves, you can make a cold remedy at home. A tea made from horehounds leaves can treat coughs and colds and stimulate the appetite. Or the leaves can be used to make a salve to treat wounds and minor skin irritations.


Medicinal use: Horehound is mainly considered to be useful as an expectorant and antitussive herb. It can also be employed as a mild laxative and gastric tonic. It has long been used as cough suppressant and as a very helpful remedy against common cold symptoms. It is also very famous as a herbal medicine used for acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, chest, nasal and sinus congestion, coughs and chest complaints, respiratory infections and sore throat. It is also very useful in treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, bowel, gallbladder and uterine disorders. Horehound is beneficial as a gastric tonic, useful in cases of loss of appetite and flatulence. Used externally, it can be an efficient wound cleanser, and can help in cases of both temporary and persistent skin disorders. 
Safety: Some herbs could interact with certain medication. Therefore, it is highly advisable to consult your doctor/herbalist before consumption of any herb.

Tips & Warnings
Horehound is not recommended for use in children or pregnant, nursing or menstruating women. As few as 5 cups of horehound tea daily can cause an irregular heartbeat.  Horehound is in the mint family. If you have mint allergies, you may also be allergic to horehound.
Horehound Side Effects: Horehound should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, very young children or the elderly.

Homemade Horehound Cough Drops

To make horehound drops use 1 cup horehound infusion, made as directed above, to 2 cups white sugar. Put the sugar in a small but deep saucepan and stir in 1/8 teaspoon cream of tarter, then add the infusion. Stir until sugar has dissolved, then cook over low heat until it reaches just 290 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a drop in cold water will become a hard glassy ball. Pour on a buttered plate and score into cough drop sizes when it has half hardened. When cool, break apart and keep in cool place until used.

Making Horehound Cough Syrup

1/4 cup of horehound (fresh) or 1/8 cup of dried horehound leaves.

2 cups of honey

1 cup of hot water

1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Pour the water into a pot and bringing it to a boil. Next toss in the horehound leaves and remove your pot from stove, allowing everything to steep for approximately 15 minutes. Strain the leaves and then add the honey to the water, mixing it very well. You can then bottle the cough syrup for later use. Feel free to add more or less honey to adjust the thickness and sweetness of the syrup.

Horehound Tea

Ingredients

• 1 C. fresh leaves or 1/4 C. dried
• 1 quart water
• 2 Tbs. honey
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 Tsp Anise Seed (opt but gives a great flavor)

Directions

Place the herbs into a pan, add water and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain the tea, pressing the herbs as you strain. Add the honey and the juice of the lemon. You may add more honey if you wish. Sip it warm. 2-3 cups per day as needed. You can also add a little bit of fresh ginger in place of the anise seed. 

WE ARE GREEN! Our herbs are naturally grown from division or cuttings from our gardens. No chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are ever used.

The statements regarding the use and/or historical use of our naturally grown herbs have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Check with your physician, naturopath, homeopath or herbalist for answers to questions about your health & the use of herbs.