Horehound Remedies
The herb known as horehound, Marrubium vulgare, is a member of the mint family, which can be seen at a glance. All mints have square-shaped stems. Horehound's use in home remedies reaches back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Traditional herbal remedies recognize the plant's usefulness as an antitussive (cough suppressant) and an expectorant, or a substance with the ability to break up and help expel the thick respiratory mucous or phlegm that plagues cold and cough sufferers. It is also a bitter, used to stimulate appetite.
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Horehound Tea
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Horehound tea or tincture has traditionally been used to treat asthma, colds, coughs and poor appetite. An adult dose would be 1/2 to 1 cup, two to three times daily. Make a strong tea by adding a handful of fresh or dried horehound tops to 2 quarts of water. (Other sources suggest 1 oz. of dried herb to 1 pint 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. An infusion of horehound can be used as a laxative. For an infusion, use 1/2 oz. of herb per pint of water.
Horehound Syrup
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Horehound syrup, tea or tincture has traditionally been used to treat chronic cough. Make your own horehound syrup by boiling down strong tea until most water has evaporated. Stir in sugar to taste. Cool completely and refrigerate. 1 tsp. of the syrup is the standard dose per use.
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Horehound Drops
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To make excellent cough drops for children as well as adults---much stronger than ones you can buy commercially, if you can even find them---begin with strong horehound tea (see above). Simmer until reduced to about 1 cup, then add 1 cup of organic brown rice syrup. (For sweeter candies, add extra sugar.) When most of the liquid evaporates and the temperature rises quickly (use a candy thermometer) the candy mixture is ready to harden, about 20 to 30 minutes. Cool somewhat but when still liquid pour into a Pyrex pie pan or baking dish to about 1/2 inch deep. Cool partially, score into small squares and place the pan in the freezer. Break into cough drops when completely cool and wrap each piece in wax paper.
Precautions
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Keep these and any other herbal remedies away from children. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use horehound. The Physician's Desk Reference says that in small doses horehound may steady irregular heartbeats, but in large doses it may cause irregular heartbeats. Talk to your doctor and pharmacists before using this or any other herbal remedy.
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