Medicinal Plants : Ballota nigra

Name

Black Horehound

Biological Name

Ballota nigra
Labiatae

Other Names

nigra

Parts Used

Dried aerial parts

Description

This herb is found growing wild throughout Europe. It is cultivated in Britain.

Active Compounds

Diterpenoids, including marrubiin, ballonigrin, ballotinone (=7-oxomarrubiin), ballotenol and 7-acetoxymarrubiin.

Remedies For

Anti-emetic, nervine, astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant.

Black Horehound is an excellent remedy for the settling of nausea and vomiting where the cause lies within the nervous system rather than in the stomach. For example, it may be used in motion sickness. This herb will also be of value in helping the nausea and vomiting due to nervousness. This remedy has a reputation as a normalizer of menstrual function and also as a mild expectorant.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day or as needed.

Tincture: Take 1-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Combinations: For the relief of nausea and vomiting it may be combined with Meadowsweet, Peppermint and Chamomile or other aromatics.

Safety

No information is available.