Horehound is used in children's cough remedies, as it is a gentle but effective expectorant. It acts as a tonic for the respiratory system and stomach. In large doses it acts as a laxative. It is often made into lozenges for treating coughs and sore throats.

A decoction of the dried herb is a remedy for those that are short-winded, have a cough. It helps to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest. It is given to women to bring down their courses, to expel the after-birth, and to them that have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by venomous serpents. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running or creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails. It also helps pains of the sides. The juice with wine and honey, helps to clear the eyesight, and snuffed up into the nostrils purges away the yellow jaundice, and with a little oil of roses dropped into the ears, eases the pains of them. It opens obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and purges the breast and lungs of phlegm. A decoction of Horehound is available for those that have hard livers, and for such as have itches and running tetters. The powder hereof taken, or the decoction, kills worms. The green leaves bruised, boiled in grease and made into an ointment, heals the biting of dogs, abates the swellings and pains that come by any pricking of thorns. A syrup of Horehound is very good for old coughs, to rid the tough phlegm and for those that are asthmatic or short-winded.