Herbs - Black horehound (Ballota nigra).

What Is It?

Black horehound originates from rocky wasteland regions of the Mediterranean, Europe and Western Asia. It is a member of the mint family and is now found growing on many continents around the world. It is a completely different species to White horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and has different medicinal properties. The flower and leaf are used in herbal medicine.

Action

It contains compounds such as volatile oil, iridoids and diterpenoids. The volatile oil contains phenylpropanoids which appear to have much of the plants medicinal properties, demonstrating nerve relaxing, anti-emetic (nausea reducing), sedative, stomach calming, anti-spasmodic and antioxidant activity. It is an important herb used by the modern herbalist for nausea and vomiting.

Uses

Historically black horehound have been used to treat a number of conditions including:

• Anxiety
• Catarrh
• Gastritis - combined with chamomile
• Hypoglycaemia
• Low spirits
• Menstrual problems
• Morning sickness - in combination with raspberry leaves, but only under supervision from a qualified herbalist
• Nausea
• Nervous indigestion
• Travel sickness

Other information

The leaves are normally available so that a herbal tea can be made and taken up to three times daily. Tinctures may also be available. A herbalist can prepare a remedy relevant for you and will probably combine it with ginger, chamomile, raspberry or meadowsweet.

Cautions

• The safety of bistort during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied, so it is best avoided unless directed by a physician.



• At the time of writing there are no well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications from using black horehound.

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk). The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.