When buying horehound candy, you should find out whether it is made with genuine horehound herbs before making a purchase. You should also consider the form in which the candy is sold, its cost, and whether you would prefer to purchase a sugar-free version. Finally, sourcing horehound drops is not always easy. If you have the option of working with a traditional candy maker, do so, as this may help you to ensure the integrity of the product.
Horehound is an herb in the mint family. The variety of horehound used in the manufacture of horehound candy is common horehound, or Marrubium vulgare. Often sold as an old-fashioned candy, it has a pungent, spicy flavor that is relished by some but can be off-putting to others. In folk medicine, horehound is often used to treat sore throats and chest congestion, so many people use horehound candy in place of medicinal cough drops.
If you intend to use horehound candy as a cough drop, you will want to make sure that the candy you buy actually contains horehound herbs. When possible, talk to the candy maker about the amount of herbs used in the preparation of the candy. This information can help you choose a candy that has a greater concentration of the herb. Some candy manufacturers offer a sugar-free version of horehound candy as well. If you are concerned about calories or blood sugar, you may want to search for some sugarless options.
The candy itself is prepared in several forms. In some cases, it is sold as small oval drops that are convenient for popping in your mouth. Some traditional candy makers cut horehound candy into cubes. In both cases, the horehound candy is typically coated with granulated sugar. It is also sometimes possible to purchase horehound lollipops or stick candy, which some people prefer because such candy often lasts longer than drops.
It is not always easy to find horehound candy, so if you are very fond of it or want to have it on hand for treating sore throats and colds, you may wish to stock up. You may be more likely to find these sweets in natural food or herbal stores. Stores at rustic tourist attractions often sell horehound as well. If it is not possible to find horehound in a brick-and-mortar store in your area, you may want to look online for suppliers. An advantage to working with online merchants, particularly artisan candy makers, is that you can learn more about the production of the candy and the quality of the horehound herbs used in its recipe.