How to Make Old Fashioned Horehound Lozenges

Taste a bit of the past by making these old fashioned horehound lozenges!  These horehound lozenges can be used to soothe a sore throat, or you can sneak a couple for a nostalgic treat. 

If you have ever tasted fresh or dried horehound you would be hard-pressed to identify it as being part of the mint family.  Horehound is a pungent bitter herb with a small identifiable amount of mint character to it.

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Horehound candies, syrups and other preparations have been used since ancient times for various ailments. This recipe is inspired by the lozenges that were once sold in 19th century general stores (a version is still sold in some hardware stores). They were used as a palatable way to use horehounds’ medicinal benefits for everyday ailments, particularly as an expectorant.  

Foraging for Horehound Or Growing Your Own Horehound

If you are unable to forage or grow Horehound, you can still purchase here.

I recommend a good field guide to help you identify horehound in your part of the world but here is a brief overview of its habitat and defining characteristics:

White Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a perennial herb, native to Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia but is now naturalized in North America, particularly in the west.  

Horehound thrives in sunny, dry areas with well-draining, poor soils, often found along roadsides, open fields, and disturbed sites.

Since it is part of the mint family, it has a square stem with opposite leaves.  The leaves and stems are aromatic and covered in white wholly hairs.  If you take a small taste of horehound, you will notice its unique bitterness.

If you choose to grow your own, give horehound it’s own pot and harvest before seeds fall.  Horehound can very easily take over a garden, just like many others in the mint family.  

More Foraging Posts!

When to harvest

We often want to avoid harvesting a plant before it has become bitter.  In this case however, the bitter components are just what we want!  Horehound is naturally bitter in all stages of growth, thanks to the phytochemical, marrubiin.  It will intensify it’s bitter compounds as it approaches flowering. 

Horehound doesn’t produce flowers until its second year, but you can still harvest in that first year—just be sure to only cut the third top part of the plant.

In its second year, when buds appear, do the same by only cutting the third top part of the plant.

Hang dry bundles in an area without direct sunlight or use a drying mat like this.  

When completely dry, store in an airtight container. 

Benefits of Horehound Lozenge/Candy

Horehound is generally recognized as safe as a flavoring agent by the FDA

The botanical compound, marrubiin and other volitive oils contribute to horehounds ability to promote mucus production in the respiratory tract, and stimulate stomach bile.  

There is also scientific evidence that horehound can have an anti-inflammatory effect.

This is why, historically, lozenges and similar folk remedies have been used to:

Horehound lozenges are a bittersweet and convenient way to enjoy these wellness benefits.

Please note that I am not a licensed healthcare professional. This post and recipe is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any conditions. Always consult with your healthcare provider before trying new herbal or natural remedies.

FAQ

What do horehound lozenges taste like?

Horehound lozenges have a bittersweet, earthy and herbal flavor.  Some compare it to root beer.

Are these just basically hard candy?

Yes they are.

Can I substitute honey for part of the recipe?

I have not tried using honey, but if you do try it please let me know in the comments! 

Tools You May Need

If this is the first time you are making candy there are some essential items for this recipe:

Heavy bottomed pan – Ensures even heating. I use my enameled cast iron dutch oven, but any heavy bottomed sauce pan will work.

Candy thermometer – This is a must- it takes the guess work out of reaching the correct temp. I prefer a digital one. 

Heat resistant silicone spatula

Pyrex Jar with Spout – Makes pouring so much easier.

Silicone candy mold

Silicone mat (optional) – I use this under my mold to catch any drips.

Soft Bristle Meat Brush and bowl of water (optional) – This is used to help prevent crystallization by wiping down the sides as the candy mixture boils.

Ingredients to make Old Fashioned Horehound Lozenges

Brown Sugar

Granulated Sugar

Lemon Juice (fresh or bottled) – Adds a nice tang, but more importantly, prevents weird crystallization. 

Horehound (fresh or dried)

Powdered Sugar – For tossing the candy after finished. This will help prevent the candies from sticking together.

Tips

• Make candy on a low humidity day if you can help it.  Candy will absorb humidity in the air and make a softer candy than desired.
• Use a pot larger than you think you will need.  Hot sugar will expand as it boils.
• Don’t skip preheating your pyrex jar!  It makes a difference in pouring. I do this by putting it in a container with hot water then drying the bottom off pyrex before pouring.
• When you are ready to scrape the hot sugar mixture out of the pot and into the pyrex jar, It can be useful to have another person help hold the pot.  
• If you don’t have a silicone mold and would prefer to use something else you may have on hand: You can use a greased cookie pan. Pour into pan, and score with knife into 3/4 inch pieces when cool enough to hold the crease. Then break into pieces when cool enough to do.
• Adjust temperature for your elevation.  Candy recipes are assuming you are at sea level.  Read this to learn how to adjust if you live above sea level.

How to make Homemade Old Fashioned Horehound Lozenge/Candy

Since we are making hard candy, there is some technique to this to get this right.  I highly encourage you to go through the tips of you haven’t already.

The goal is to reach the “hard-crack state” evenly and without burning. You also want to work quickly enough so the hot sugar is set in its place before it cools and hardens.

Make horehound tea/infusion.  Combine horehound and water.  Bring to a boil and then bring to low heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and reserve 1/2 cup.

Prep and organize equipment. Put out candy molds, start preheating the pyrex jar, if using brush and bowl of water, get that ready.

Measure out ingredients. Dissolve by gently stirring sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, and horehound tea on medium heat. Attach candy thermometer.

Bring to hard crack state. When mixture starts to boil, stop stirring and watch for temperature to reach 302° F (adjust for elevation). Remove from heat and pour into preheated pyrex container.

Pour into silicone molds. You can pour in individual molds, or use your spatula to spread mixture onto it.

Let lozenges cool. When cool, toss in powdered sugar before storing in airtight container. Add moisture absorbers if desired.