Common Name: Horehound
Scientific Name: Marrubium vulgare
Areas of the United States Found in Nature
Horehound is commonly found in dry, open areas such as fields, roadsides, and disturbed soils across much of the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Western regions. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, often poor, soils.
How to Identify It
Horehound is a hardy perennial herb with woolly, gray-green leaves that are oval, wrinkled, and covered in white hairs, giving the plant a fuzzy appearance. The stems are square, typical of the mint family, and the plant can grow up to 1-2 feet tall. Horehound produces small, white, clustered flowers that bloom in the leaf axils in late spring to early summer.
How and When to Harvest for the Highest Medicinal Value
Harvest Horehound just before it flowers in the early summer when the leaves are at their peak medicinal potency. Cut the leafy tops of the plant, ideally on a dry, sunny day after the morning dew has dried, to ensure the plant material is dry and to prevent mold during preservation.
How to Preserve the Herb for Future Use
Dry Horehound by hanging it in bunches in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. You can also use a dehydrator on a low setting. Once completely dry, strip the leaves and store them in airtight containers, such as glass jars, away from light and moisture. Properly dried Horehound can be stored for up to a year.
Medicinal Uses
Horehound is commonly used for respiratory issues, such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis, due to its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used in teas, lozenges, or syrups.
Tea
Steep 1 tablespoon of dried Horehound in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey to help mask its bitter taste and to soothe a sore throat or cough.
Syrup
To make a cough syrup, boil 1 cup of fresh or dried Horehound in water, strain the liquid, and combine it with honey. This syrup can help soothe coughs and clear phlegm.
Lozenges
Horehound can also be made into lozenges by combining a strong Horehound infusion with sugar or honey, then heating and forming it into lozenge shapes as it cools. These lozenges are traditional remedies for coughs and sore throats.
How to Propagate for Annual Use in Your Garden
Horehound can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or division.
From Seed
Sow Horehound seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil, as they require light to germinate. Keep the soil moist until germination, which typically occurs within 10-14 days.
By Cuttings
Take cuttings from mature Horehound plants in late spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil. Keep the cuttings in a shaded area until they root, then transplant them into your garden.
By Division
Divide mature Horehound plants in early spring or fall. Dig up the plant and gently separate the roots into smaller sections, each with at least one stem. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 1-2 feet apart. Water well after planting.
How to Over-Winter the Plant
Horehound is very hardy and generally requires no special winter care. It will die back in cold weather and regrow in the spring.
Cut Back
After the first frost, cut the stems down to about 2-3 inches above the ground. This helps tidy up the garden and promotes healthy new growth in the spring.
Mulch
Although Horehound is drought-tolerant and cold-hardy, applying a light layer of mulch around the base can help protect the roots in areas with very harsh winters.
Watering
Reduce watering during the winter months as Horehound goes dormant. Ensure that the soil remains well-draining to prevent root rot during the wet winter months.
In the spring, remove any mulch to allow new growth to emerge. Horehound will naturally regrow from its roots, ready to be used again for its medicinal benefits.
