Herb of the Week ~ Horehound

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When I was thirteen, my Mother brought home some candy that I thought was wonderful! She told me it was horehound candy, and she found it in a local candy shop next to a grocery store she frequented. She remembered it from her childhood and thought I would like it. I had no idea at the time that it came from a plant by the same name. When my husband and I purchased our property in 1981, snow covered the ground, and it would be several months before I saw this silvery green plant coming up in various areas around my home. I took a piece to the local greenhouse and was told that it was horehound. I was thrilled!

I was also told that it was medicinal so, budding herbalist that I was, I immediately went to one of my books, A Modern Herbal, and began reading about the plant and how I could use it. There are two varieties, Black and White, but mine was clearly White Horehound. I discovered I could make tea and use it for respiratory and cough issues. And then when it flowered and the whorls began to dry a bit, I discovered the other aspect of the plant: whorls that would stick to me, my animals, my young son, and my husband. I quickly learned that I needed to monitor the growth cycle so that I could cut back the flowers before they died off and began to stick to everything.

Of course, I wasn’t the most reliable pruner back then, or now even, so horehound has spread everywhere in the lower part of our five acres. But that’s okay because I have plenty to harvest every year when allergies or the cold and flu seasons begin either to use in teas or in tinctures. And I have enough to not only use fresh but also in dried form. Below is some information, both magickal and medicinal, from my book, Herbal Magicka about this lovely and prolific medicinal plant.

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Horehound
marrubium vulgare

Parts used: whole herb
Other names: houndsbene, marvel, marrube
Ruler: Mercury
Day: Wednesday
Power: To Know
Element: Air
Direction: East
Energetic Effect: Masculine, projective, active
Deity: Hermes, Thoth, Isis, Odin, Athena; Raphael (angel), Ophiel (Olympic Spirit)

Magickal uses: communication, creativity, clarity

General Information: Horehound is used for cough and other respiratory ailments as well as digestive complaints.

Preparation: Infusion/Tincture/Syrup/Candy

Excerpted From Herbal Magicka ~ Amazon; Books2Read 

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Disclaimer:

The information above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any condition or prescribe any treatment. Please consult your medical/herbal professional for further advice regarding the use of herbs, particularly if you’re already taking prescribed medications to avoid any unnecessary or harmful interactions. Please seek treatment from a medical professional should symptoms occur that do not quickly resolve on their own. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please consult your medical/herbal professional before using any herbs.