Along with other less familiar herbs, horehound has emerged a modern-day favorite with people interested in simple, natural remedies. The type described here is “white” horehound. “Black” horehound (Ballota nigra, also of the Labiatae family) is distinguished from white horehound by its taller growth, unpleasant smell, and purple flowers. White horehound is a bushy, rather sprawling herb growing to about 1½ feet (45 cm) or more. The small, soft leaves are oval, gray-green, finely “pinked” at the edges, and crinkled all over by countless veins. The underside of each leaf looks like oyster velvet, the semblance continuing down the woody stems and stalks completely covering them. The scent of horehound is both sharp and sweet and, when tasted, is very bitter. In summer the small, white whorls of flowers bloom at intervals in dense clusters encircling the stem.
History and mythology
The name of this herb is mostly associated with horehound beer, a popular non-alcoholic beverage. Horehound is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The Romans esteemed it highly. Some historical writers say it was one of the bitter herbs eaten by the Hebrews at the Feast of the Passover: the generic name is derived from marrubium, a bitter taste. Egyptian priests knew horehound and called it Seed of Horns or Bull’s Blood. It was also an ingredient in antidotes for some types of poison. Its popularity in folk medicines made it a valuable part of one’s belongings when traveling to new lands, and as merchandise for ancient trading vessels. These days horehound is widely spread in most parts of the world.
Cultivation
Horehound is a tough little plant and thrives in poor, dry soil in a sunny position. Propagation is by root division, or cuttings taken in spring; seed may be sown in spring and autumn (fall), and when large enough, planted out to 2 feet (60 cm) apart. In some countries, horehound has been declared a noxious weed, and the seed is banned for commercial use. If you wish to have a patch in your herb garden, ask if you can divide some roots from a plant if you see one growing, or if you come across it in the wild, pull up a few roots to take home with you.
Harvesting and processing
To dry horehound, pick stalks of flowers and leaves just as the plant begins to bloom, and before midday, and hang in bunches in an airy place. Air drying on racks is also satisfactory. When dry, crumble off the leaves and flowers, and break up the brittle stalks, which have value as well. Store in airtight containers.
Various uses
Culinary
Horehound candy, as well as horehound beer, have been well known in the past. The dried leaves have been used as a condiment, and horehound tea is a time-honored standby for several complaints. Horehound candy is made by boiling the leaves in water until the juice is extracted, strained off, and boiled again with sugar until thick, poured into an oiled flat container, and cut into squares when cold.
Medicinal
White horehound has been valued for centuries in treating colds and bronchitis; early herbals give detailed instructions for making syrups and infusions of horehound to take for coughs and “wheezing of the lungs.” It is still considered effective as an expectorant, as well as having tonic and mildly laxative properties, and may be taken as a syrup, a tea, a gargle, or made into candy to take when suffering from a cold. A friend from Melbourne, Australia, goes to his horehound plant when he feels a cold beginning and simply chews some leaves as a successful antidote. Another use was told by a friend whose family has lived in our district for generations. As a child, he had suffered from a serious kidney complaint. An English settler who saw horehound growing wild on the side of a sunny dry bank, picked a bunch, and told his mother to boil the whole washed plant (minus roots) in a quart (1 T) of water and reduce to a pint (500 ml), then strain, and give a medicine glass- full every morning. She did this, gathering more horehound as needed, and he recovered within a month. The herb is a mild diuretic (increasing the flow of urine to flush the kidneys), and was highly successful in this case.
Cosmetic
Weak horehound tea can be patted onto affected areas for minor skin problems.
Companion planting
As an insect repellent, horehound steeped in milk and placed where flies are a pest has been found to lessen their activity.
