How to Prepare & Use Horehound

The horehound plant is a cousin to mint, growing quickly and covering large areas. It has thick, fibrous stems with wide, spiky leaves and small purple flowers. The leaves are often used to make an herbal tea, but the horehound flowers and stems may be used as well.

Horehound is said to be a pain reliever, a cough and cold remedy, and an aid to sore throats and indigestion. It is used as an ingredient in cough syrups and throat lozenges. Horehound tea is a popular homemade herbal remedy.

Things You'll Need

• Horehound plants
• Cookie sheets
• Cheesecloth
• String
• Water
• Tea kettle
• Mug

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Instructions

• 1

  Pluck a few stems from a horehound plant. Leave three stems so the plant will continue to grow. Make sure your stems have an abundance of leaves and flowers.

• 2

  Pluck the leaves and flowers from the stems, and spread them out on a cookie sheet. You may use the stems also, although these will make the horehound tea bitter.

• 3

  Preheat your oven to 200°F. Put the cookie sheet in the oven for about half an hour; then check whether the flowers and leaves are beginning to wilt. Check on the cookie sheet every half hour, stirring the horehound lightly with your hand about once every hour.

• 4

  Remove the cookie sheet when the horehound is crisp and dry. Allow it to cool, and store it in a sealed container. To make individual "tea bags," crumble about an ounce of the dried horehound into a square of cheesecloth. Tie the cheesecloth into a bundle and set aside.

• 5

  Fill a kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Remove the kettle from heat and add the cheesecloth with horehound to the water. Allow the tea to steep for about 15 minutes.

• 6

  Pour the tea into a six-ounce mug, and sweeten to taste. Drink two cups a day to remedy a cough, cold or sore throat. Drink an hour before eating to prevent indigestion.