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!

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.

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.