Horehound Herb

(Marrubium vulgare)

Horehound is one of the oldest and most continuously documented herbs in human history — a woolly, aromatic perennial of the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the Mediterranean region, central Asia, and North Africa, and now naturalized across much of the temperate world. Marrubium vulgare has been used in herbal practice for at least 2,000 years, appearing in the writings of ancient Greek physicians including Dioscorides and Galen, and referenced in ancient Egyptian medical papyri as one of the herbs used by the priests of Horus. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder devoted considerable attention to horehound in his Naturalis Historia, describing it as one of the most important herbs of his era.

Horehound’s most enduring legacy in Western culture may be the horehound candy — the distinctive, bittersweet hard candy that was a staple of American general stores and apothecaries throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and remains a beloved old-fashioned confection today. The herb’s characteristic bitter flavor comes primarily from marrubiin, a labdane diterpene lactone unique to Marrubium vulgare and one of the most studied phytochemicals in the plant. The herb also contains flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, quercetin), alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine), tannins, volatile oils, and phenolic acids. Horehound is listed in the German Commission E monographs and has a long history of use in European and American folk herbalism. Our Horehound Herb is available Cut & Sifted.

Product Highlights

• Cut & sifted aerial herb of Marrubium vulgare — Horehound
• One of the oldest continuously documented herbs in Western herbal history
• Rich in marrubiin, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and volatile oils
• Listed in the German Commission E monographs
• The traditional botanical behind classic horehound candy
• A cornerstone of European, Mediterranean, and American folk herbalism
• No additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients

How to Use

Herbal Tea: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of cut & sifted horehound in 8 oz of hot water for 10–15 minutes. The flavor is intensely bitter and aromatic — traditionally sweetened with honey to balance the bitterness. Horehound Candy: Simmer horehound in water to make a strong decoction, strain, then combine with sugar and cook to hard-crack stage for traditional horehound drops — a classic American confection. Tincture: Use in alcohol or glycerin-based tincture preparations. Capsules: Powder and fill empty capsules for a convenient supplement form. Syrups: Combine horehound decoction with honey or sugar to make a traditional herbal syrup.

Available in Cut & Sifted (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.