Marrubium vulgare aka Horehound

Marrubium vulgare, also known as white Horehound or common Horehound, is a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia, but is widely naturalized in many places, including most of North and South America. It is a grey-leaved herbaceous perennial that grows to 25-45 centimetres tall, and has 2-5 cm long crinkled leaves covered in downy hairs. White flowers are borne in clusters on the upper part of the main stem. Horehound has been mentioned in association with medicinal use since at least the 1st century BC, and is known to be a remedy for expelling worms in farm animals. It has been introduced to southern Australia as a medicinal herb, and is now considered to be a weed of native grasslands and pastures. In New Zealand biocontrol measures are being used to control its spread. It is favoured by grazing and prefers sunny, dry soil with an acidic to neutral pH. Although it is promoted online for its supposed therapeutic purposes, and there has been some research into its medicinal properties, there is good evidence yet that it has any value as a medicine. Nevertheless, it is a generally safe food additive and is useful for naturalizing garden beds and meadows.