Horehound Medicine ~ so much more!

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is one of my favourite bitter herbs. Horehound Medicine is also an important part of my winter medicine chest! It's a super herb to alleviate coughing, wheezing and chest congestion. It can act as a helpful expectorant to alleviate a nasty cough. 

Have you used Horehound? So much more than a herbal "candy"!

Wait til you see the many healing attributes. You'll want to check it out!

Horehound Medicine Highlights:

Check out the herbal terms 'glossary' under articles above. 

Baby Horehound ready for planting in my herb garden!!

For my 'picks' for important 'lung herbs', go here…  or 10 ideas for Respiratory health here.

Horehound can be used for any lung condition ~ bronchitis, asthma, chest colds, coughs.  
It can help to dry sinuses. Effective in cold + flu formulae.
Excellent ability to calm a fever or in feverish conditions.
Horehound is a good 'bitter'. It stimulates the entire digestive tract.
Excellent liver herb. Used for liver and gallbladder conditions
           Contraindications: Pregnancy.

Traditionally, herbalists also use horehound leaves to make lozenges, syrups and old fashioned candies.
I use honey as opposed to white sugar when possible in these preparations, as I feel that sugar is
counter-productive to healing. Raw honey is full of healing attributes, and a better sweetener, I believe.
 
I normally tincture it and add it to formulas separately. There's a wonderful formula for this time of year, which can be truly effective and a 'life-saver' when winter's ailments come calling.
It's a tincture turned supportive lung elixir.
For the 'youngsters', especially, we can make this tincture more palatable with the addition of raw honey.
I make this by combining separate tinctures, from my apothecary. I combine them when needed for any formula. and then add the rest of the ingredients. You can do this too, or use the following alternative:

Plan B ? Make the entire formula at once, combining all the herbs in a glass jar and topping with vodka, but leaving the honey and citrus to be added at then end, in individual dosages.

Here's what I mean:

Here's a list of ingredients for a 1 quart jar:

¼ cup dried yarrow flowers
¼ cup fresh thyme leaves/flowers (or about ⅛ cup dried)
1 cup chopped fresh sage leaves (or about ⅓ cup dried)
1 cup chopped fresh horehound (or about ½ cup dried)
vodka
optional: honey
                :zest of ½- 1 orange, lime or lemon
 
Fill the jar with vodka. Poke the herbs with a chopstick or wooden spoon to help air bubbles to rise to the top. Ensure all plant material is covered with the alcohol.
Allow to sit in a cool cupboard or on a shelf where you will remember to shake it often.
Opinions vary re the length of time to leave a tincture  'brewing'. I try to leave it for at least 1 month (over 1 full moon cycle)
Decant into another jar. Label and date.
When wanting to use, it's ready as a tincture now.
If you want to make an elixir, of sorts.. add a little raw honey to taste plus the zest of citrus (your choice, I've used all and find they add another layer of yumminess!)
If you have about 1 quart, use about 1 cup of raw honey; otherwise, if you have made less, just adjust to your 'taste'. Horehound Medicine is worth checking out.

Want to learn how to make a soothing throat lozenge? Take a peek here.

Green blessings and my sincere wishes for a healthy day!    Carol xo