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Herbs - Australia

Horehound

19 years ago

Hi Folks, I have a lot of Horehound coming up around my property, now I know it is weed in some folks minds but it is also a herb, so what can I use it for? Horehound Beer doesn't appeal! LOL

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Comments (3)

Daisyduckworth
19 years ago
Used as a flavouring for confectionery, desserts, baked goods. Sometimes used as a substitute for hops in beer-making. Leaves can be crystallised.

Medicinal Uses: Leaves (which taste like menthol) and flowering tops of the plant can be eaten or made into a syrup or lozenges to relieve sore throats, asthma and coughs, colds, flu, and especially congestion. The tea can be used to get rid of intestinal worms, and to relieve heartburn and indigestion. It will also treat irregular heartbeat. Use the tea internally and externally for eczema, psoriasis and shingles, and externally to aid the healing of wounds. The leaves applied as a poultice are used to treat cold sores.

Other Uses: Attracts bees to the garden. Infuse leaves in milk and put into a dish to act as a fly killer. Float dried flower remains in oil as candle wicks. Leaves were once used to clean milk pails.

Warning: Large doses can have a laxative effect, and excessive does can cause irregular heartbeat. The juice can cause dermatitis.

Horehound Candy (one of many versions)
60g fresh horehound
1 1/2 cups water
900g brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup

Cook the horehound slowly in water for 15 minutes with the lid on the saucepan. Leave for 1 hour. Remove the horehound, then add the sugar and syrup to the liquid. Boil to hard-crack stage (about 120C on a candy thermometer). Pour into a greased shallow pan, and mark into squares. This is an excellent 'cough lolly', but it should not be used to excess.

Got the beer recipe if you want it!
antesoo
Original Author
19 years ago
Wow , thank you so much. As it is a woody perennial I have plenty if anyone wants to exchange some.
Maybe I could have a look at beer recipe...has anyone tried it...is it like Aussie beer ..UGH! I quite like Chinese beer though...it is more like a shandy.I have just arrived home after a year in China.
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It's not supposed to taste good, you know. It's a medicine! Horehound Candy 60g fresh horehound leaves 1 1/2 cups water 900g brown sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup Cook the horehound slowly in water for 15 minutes with the lid on the saucepan. Leave for 1 hour. Remove the horehound, then add the sugar and syrup to the liquid. Boil to hard-crack stage (about 120C on a candy thermometer). Pour into a greased shallow pan, and mark into squares. This is an excellent 'cough lolly', but it should not be used to excess. A similar version: Horehound lozenges: 1 cup horehound tea, 4 cups sugar, 2 cups dark or light corn syrup. Boil horehound leaves to make a good strong tea. Drain, reserving 1 cup of liquid. Add the cup of tea to the other ingredients and boil until it just starts to caramelise. Put onto a flat, greased baking sheet. Start cutting with kitchen shears or scissors as soon as it starts to harden on edges. Harvesting Horehound: During the first year, harvest only the top one-third of the growth. During the second year, harvest when in bud to use the leaves fresh. If they are to be dried, hang stems upside down in bunches in a warm airy place to dry for about 2 weeks, then remove leaves and store in an airtight container. Warning: Large doses can have a laxative effect and excessive doses can cause irregular heartbeat. The juice can cause dermatitis. Best avoided in pregnancy, as it may cause uterine contractions and bleeding.
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Daisyduckworth
19 years ago
Horehound Beer
To a large handful of horehound leaves and stems, add about 13.5 litres water and 1kg treacle. Boil for 1 hour, then strain and cool to blood heat. Add 2 tablespoons yeast, and leave, covered with a clean cloth, for 24 hours. Bottle and seal. Ready for use after 1 week. This is a very good remedy for sufferers of chest, nasal and sinus congestion.

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