Wakefield Museums and Castles

We checked on the rhubarb we divided last week. We then weeded and prepared the ground. We got it ready to swap the horehound with the marjoram and move the wild strawberries. The horehound needed to be moved because it had outgrown its allotted space. The wild strawberries needed saving as they were being buried by neighbouring plants!

After a quick tea break, Kim and Carole then cut-back the nightshade and woodsage. They tidied up the white comfrey and continued to weed.

Horehound leaves can be used in salads, seafood and other dishes. They add a “subtle minty and slightly bitter flavour”. While it’s not a common ingredient, it can add a herbal hint to sauces, marinades, and herbal infusions.

The leaves and flowers of white horehound can be used to flavour sweets, syrups, and drinks. They are used in horehound beer and herbal teas.

'Horehound candy' is often used to soothe sore throats. It is known for its bittersweet flavour.

Historically, horehound has been used to create a yellowish-green dye. This was used in textiles.

Horehound was used by Egyptian priests. It was a sacred remedy for respiratory, digestive, and venom-related ailments. Ancient Egyptian mythology referred to it as the 'seed of Horus'.

Horehound was seen as a magical herb. It was believed to have powers of exorcism, healing and protection. It was often used in protective amulets and charms. It was thought to have the ability to ward off evil spirits and protect against witchcraft.

Horehound was believed to have the power to keep away wild animals and dogs. It was often sprinkled around the outside of a home for protection.

It was thought to be a remedy against cankerworm in trees.

Horehound was introduced to southern Australia in the 1800s as a medicinal herb. However, it has since been declared a "noxious weed".

Horehound is very attractive to many pollinators. These include honey, solitary and bumble bees. However, it can also be visited by spider mites, scale insects, fungus gnats and fruit flies, mealybugs, aphids and whiteflies.

In New Zealand, efforts are being made to control the spread of horehound. Biocontrol measures are being used such as the horehound clearwing moth (Chamaesphecia mysiniformis) and the horehound plume moth (Wheeleria spilodactylus).

White horehound was mentioned as a remedy for respiratory problems in ancient Rome. Roman encyclopaedist Aulus Cornelis Celsus wrote about it in 'De Medicina', in the first century.

In 1658 Nicholas Culpepper stated, “The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running and creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails. The juice, with wine and honey, helps to clear the eyesight, and snuffed up the nostrils, it urges away the yellow jaundice; and, with oil of roses, dropped into the ears, eases the pains of them.”

It was used as an anti-poison. It was used to heal thorn-scratches and the bites of 'serpents' and dogs.

Taken in large doses, horehound acted as a gentle purgative. Taken as a tea, it was used to treat eczema and shingles.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.