Friday Foraging #165 - 1st August 2025

Friday Foraging

Horehound

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), otherwise known as white horehound or common horehound, is a perennial herb and a member of the mint family. The name horehound is derived from old English words ‘hoar’ and ‘hune’, loosely translating as white, or downy, plant. It’s old names are many such as houndsbane, marribium, eye of the star, seed of Horus, marvel, and bull's blood.

The leaves have a green-grey appearance which are serrated, crinkled and coated in fine hairs. You will find it grows to about 35cm in height. It flowers in early summer through to autumn with delightful little white flowers that emerge in tight clusters.

It can be found growing in a wide variety of areas, from roadsides, hedgerows and pastures to grassland and meadows. If you grow it in your garden, like most plants within the mint family, it spreads successfully and can take over, so maybe grow it in a large pot instead. Horehound is very easy to grow and survives in most locations and even throughout winter.

Forage the leaves before the flowers die, usually around May time and take the flowering tops during the peak part of the bloom.

Be aware that some people will have slight digestive irritations when eating fresh, but if you dry it first, it tends to be ok for everybody.

• Do check out any contra-indications before consuming or applying to the skin.