Horehound Herb (Marrubium vulgare) — Bulk Dried Herb
Horehound Herb (Marrubium vulgare)
Horehound is one of the oldest and most continuously used botanicals in Western herbal history — a woolly, silver-leaved perennial of the mint family whose bitter, aromatic character has made it a staple of European folk medicine, monastic herbalism, and confectionery tradition for over three thousand years. It was known to the ancient Egyptians, who called it the “seed of Horus,” and appears in the writings of virtually every major botanical authority from Dioscorides to Culpeper.
Our Horehound is certified organic, cut and sifted from the aerial parts harvested at peak maturity.
Botanical Profile
- Botanical Name: Marrubium vulgare
- Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
- Common Names: Horehound, White Horehound, Common Horehound, Marrube
- Plant Part Used: Aerial parts (leaves and stems)
- Preparation: Cut & Sifted
- Cultivation: Certified Organic
- Origin: Europe / Mediterranean
- Appearance: Woolly, silver-grey dried herb
- Aroma: Strongly aromatic, bitter, musky
- Flavor Profile: Intensely bitter, aromatic, slightly sweet finish
About the Plant
Native to the Mediterranean region and central Asia, Marrubium vulgare has naturalized across Europe, the Americas, Australia, and much of the temperate world. It is a perennial herb that grows to about 45 cm, producing square stems (characteristic of the mint family), wrinkled, woolly leaves covered in dense white hairs, and whorls of small white flowers at the leaf axils. The plant thrives in dry, disturbed soils and is commonly found along roadsides, in waste places, and around old settlements. Its genus name Marrubium is believed to derive from the Hebrew marrob (bitter juice), and Horehound is traditionally considered one of the five bitter herbs of the Jewish Passover Seder.
Traditional Context
Horehound has one of the longest documented histories of any European botanical. It appears in ancient Egyptian medical texts, the writings of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen, and in virtually every major European herbal from the medieval period onward. It was cultivated in monastery gardens throughout medieval Europe and was a primary ingredient in traditional European cough candies and lozenges — a tradition that continues today in the form of horehound candy, still widely available in the United States.
Suggested Preparations
- Infusions: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried herb in hot water for 10–15 minutes
- Tinctures: Well-suited for alcohol extraction
- Syrups & Candies: Traditionally prepared as a syrup or hard candy
- Herbal Blends: Pairs with Thyme, Elecampane, and Mullein in traditional respiratory formulas
Quality & Sourcing
- ✓ Certified Organic
- ✓ Identity Verified
- ✓ Ethically Sourced
- ✓ Small Batch
- ✓ No Additives or Fillers
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Properly stored, dried Horehound maintains its quality for 1–2 years.
A Note on Use
This product is sold as a botanical ingredient for educational, culinary, and traditional use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a health condition.
Every purchase supports Twin Dragons Botanical Institute’s mission of botanical conservation, responsible sourcing, and the preservation of plant knowledge for future generations.