As a popular folk remedy for hundreds of years, horehound was planted throughout Europe and brought with settlers to North America, where it quickly became naturalized. It is a typical herb of cottage gardens, where it is harvested for use in tea and candy.

Horehound candy originated as a way to make the bitter horehound herb a more palatable medicine. A traditional remedy for coughs and for its expectorant qualities, horehound has been used for centuries as a lozenge and syrup during cold season.