Hoarhound

a plant of the mint family. The common white hoarhound occurs native in Europe, northern Africa, and northern Asia. The square stems are covered with a hoary down, whence the popular name of the plant. The blossoms are sessile and crowded into a dense whorl at the base of the leaf. When cut in bloom, the leaves are charged with a volatile, aromatic oil, known to the druggist as hoarhound. It is used in flavoring candy, and in medicine as a remedy for coughs and asthma. It is obtained from the leaves by distillation.