Whorls of small white flowers appear summer to fall on 2 foot perennial plants. Grow in full sun and dry, sandy soil. Self-sows.
Traditional Healing Uses: To treat colds, dry coughs, bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throats, fever, hepatitis, jaundice, stomach problems, gall bladder ailments, and to promote sweating. Horehound and marshmallow root together have been used to soothe children’s coughs, asthma, and other lung ailments, and horehound candy drops to alleviate adults’ coughs.
Other Uses: Plants attract bees to the garden; leaves are sometimes candied.
Harvest: Collect leaves and flowering tops in summer and dry in the shade.
Preparation: Pour a cup of boiling water on 1 teaspoon of dried herb and infuse for 10-15 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon doses of tea at a time, and not more than 1 cup total a day.
Caution: Use sparingly; horehound is a laxative in large doses, and may cause irregular heartbeat in very large doses.
