Black horehound (Ballota nigra) is a common native plant in Europe and the Mediterranean that was more utilized medicinally in those areas than in the United States. There is very little documented in today’s society on the medicinal properties and clinical use of this herb. You will often find the same regurgitated information on the internet about its description and traditional uses. I was looking for traditional folk stories regarding this herb, but I was unable to find any. I recently ordered a book on Sicilian folk medicine which is part of my own ancestry. I am hoping to find some information about this herb within this book once I receive it. If not, I will keep looking. I am sure there are unaccounted historical uses with Black horehound that are just waiting to be found.
In my research, Black horehound is often described at offensive, unpleasant, stinking, potent, foetid, and rankly aromatic herb. It is mentioned that cattle will reject the plant based on its offensive odor; and therefore, this plant was given the name Ballota based on the Greek word “ballos” which means to reject. (8) I have grown this herb for the last 6 years, and I personally do not find it that abhorrent. The dried plant material is reminiscent to the smell of Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) to me, and the fresh tincture smells similar to my Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) tincture. I am sure there will be other opinions about this, but that is my personal take on the aromatics of Black horehound.
When I first came upon this plant in a catalog, I was instantly drawn to it; although, I cannot tell you why. I am grateful for that since it has been an instrumental part in my own healing journey. I have found this herb to be very beneficial in my practice, and it is my hope to bring this research and experience to your attention. Black horehound is very easy to grow in your gardens, or in pots, and can make a useful companion in your medicine cabinet.
Latin name - (Ballota nigra)
Synonyms – B. ampliata, B. aristata, B. bracteosa, B. foetida, B. foetida var. glabrescens, B. hirta, B. nigra subsp. Meridionalis, F. nigra var. foetida, B. nigra var. meridionalis, B. nigra var. submitis, B. nigra var subvillosa, B. nigra var. utricifolia, B. rubra, B. sepium, B. sordida, B. submitis, B. uricifolia, B. vugaris, Marrubium nigrum, Stachys ballota. (21)
Common names - Black horehound, Black archangel, Fetid horehound, Stinking horehound (1), Black Ballota (2), Bastard horehound, Henbit, Stinking Roger, Dunnynettle (3)
Family – Lamiaceae
Botanical description – Ballota nigra is a perennial herb with square stems containing opposite, ovate-lanceolate to cordate leaves that have a crenated edge. Each pair of leaves sits at a right angle of the pair before it. The leaves measure 1-3 inches long while the plant itself can reach upwards of 3 feet. The top of the leaf is distinctly rugose and the entire plant is pubescent. The color of the leaves varies with some darker purple foliage mixed with a medium green. The flowers are reddish-purple two-lipped corollas arranged in whorled clusters around the stem, and they bloom June through October. The leaves are reputed to have an unpleasant aroma.
Growing conditions – This plant prefers a drier, well-drained soil in part to full sun, but will tolerate some shaded areas. It is often found in disturbed areas and roadsides, and grows well in a tended garden.
Geographic distribution – Native range is Macaronesia, Europe to Mediterranean, and Iran. (4) Introduction to the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest sections of the United States. (5)
Parts used - Aerial portions of the plant used either dried or fresh.
Preparations and dosages – It may be used in an infusion, decoction, fluid extract, solid extract; in powder, pills, or tincture. (9) Tincture dosage is 1 to 2 ml three times a day (1:5 25%) using dried leaves. To make an infusion, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried herb and infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day, or as needed. (11) I have made a tincture with fresh aerial parts (1:2 75%) and used dosages of 1 to 2 ml up to three times daily.
Medicinal properties – Anodyne, Antiemetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Astringent, Carminative, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Nervine, Sialagogue, Stimulant, and Vermifuge
Systems – respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, reproductive
Taste – Bitter, slightly salty, and pungent.
Energetics – Warming at first with a cooling after effect, and drying
Contraindications and interactions: None currently known
Key constituents – Diterpenes (marrubiin, ballonigrine, ballotinone, ballotenol, preleosibirin, and 13-hydroxyballonigrinolide) (7) phenolic compounds from infusion (chlorogenic, caffeic, caffeoylmalic acids, ballotetroside, forsythoside b, verbascoiside, and allysonoside), organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, ascorbic, malic, quinic, shikimic, and fumaric) (6), flavonoids (apigenin-7-glucoside, vicenin-2, tangeretin, luteolin-7-lactate, and luteolin-7-glucosyl-lactate), phenylpropanoid glycosides from alcoholic extract (verbascoiside, forsythoside B, arenarioside, ballottroside, alyssonoside, lavandulifolioside, and angorosidee A) (7)
Historical Uses - Dioscorides (like Gerard) declared that the Ballota was an antidote for the bite of a mad dog. Beaumont and Fletcher’s Faithful Shepherdess has a reference to this property of the plant: “This is the clote bearing a yellow flower, and this black horehound: both are very good for sheep or shepherd bitten by a wood-Dog’s venom’d tooth.” (8)
Mrs. M. Grieve considered this plant to be antispasmodic, stimulant, and vermifuge. She called the whole plant as “offensive in odour as it is unattractive in appearance”. (8)
Sir John Hill wrote that Black Hoarhound is to “be given in form of tea, it promotes the menses, and is superior to most things as a remedy in hysteric cases, faintings, convulsions, and low-spiritedness, and all the train of those disorders” (9)
In 1922, Richard Hool wrote, “In black horehound we have one of the most efficacious remedies that we can use for the cure of biliousness, bilious colic, and sour belchings. In the above complaints it is as near a specific as any remedy well can be. The relief it affords is both prompt and certain, for if only a leaf or a piece of the stem be chewed, and the juice swallowed, it will be found to act as if a current of electricity had passed into the stomach, allaying all the symptoms momentarily. In coughs, bronchitis, and asthma it is exceedingly useful. In chronic coughs, accompanied by spitting of blood, it will be found most excellent, either alone or combined with other reliable remedies, such as lobelia, marshmallow, hyssop, etc. Its action is most reliable, as it resolves the viscidity of the mucus secretions, and acts as an alterative-tonic upon the mucous follicles, deterges and heals the diseased membranes, and corrects the acrimony of the discharges. In all cases of consumption it will be found a most useful remedy, as it not only corrects the acrimony of the mucus discharges, but soothes the irritation of the nerves caused by the fit of coughing, thereby making it easier for the patient in nervous affections. In the pains of travail during the time of carrying, combined with motherwort, it will be found an excellent remedy; in amenorrhea, and also in menorrhagia, it will act in a most wonderful manner.” (9)
Dr. John R. Christopher wrote in his book that black horehound was good for dizziness (vertigo) and was similar in virtues as white horehound. He said, “some herbalists claim that it is superior for gravel, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea dropsy, cough, hoarseness, bronchitis, consumption, stomach weakness, biliousness, bilious colic, vomiting, sour stomach, tonic to mucous membranes, and as a corrective for acrid discharges.” He also went on to mention, “for lung and respiratory complaints, combine with agents such as marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), lobelia (Lobelia inflata), elecampane (Inula helenium). For parturition, toning up the uterine membranes, and reestablishing equilibrium to the parts, combine with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca).” He considered black horehound an alterative, antacid, anti-emetic, antispasmodic, detergent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, pectoral, resolvent, stimulant, and tonic. (10)
The ruins of Hovedøya Cistercian monastery (1147) located on an island with calcareous rocks in the harbor of Oslo which has been well known for its rich flora and extensive plant lists with 56 different species found in the ruins. Ballota nigra was observed as a possible monastic relict plant in this garden. (18)
In Balkanic area, it was used as a sedative/tranquilizer in cases of hysteria and hypochondria. It was used for wound healing in Italy, and as an insecticide and repellent against fleas in northern Spain. In Moldova, it is used against worm infestation in the form of enemas and suppositories. (13)
In Turkish folk medicine, various Ballota species have been used to treat hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal disorders, wounds and burns, as diuretics and to prevent coughs. (13)
In the south Italian pharmacopoeia, aerial parts are drunk to promote circulation and used as a rinse for skin rashes. (13) In Central Italy, they used the leaves as a poultice for wounds and sprains. (19) The leaves were combined with fruit stalks of Lycopersion aesculentum and the rhizomes of Agropycum repens in a decoction as a diuretic. (20)
In France, it is traditionally used in the symptomatic treatment of nervous disorders in adults and children, especially for sleep disorders and for the symptomatic treatment of coughs. (17)
Modern uses – This is not an herb that is commercially available in bulk, or popular to use in the United States. The plant and seeds can be purchased if you want to grow, harvest, and make medicine from the plant yourself. There are a few herbalists that have documented their experience with Ballota nigra.
David Hoffman states, “It is an excellent remedy for calming nausea and vomiting when the cause lies within the nervous system, rather than in the stomach. It may be safely used for motion sickness, for example, in which nausea is triggered through the inner ear and the central nervous system. This herb is also of value in treating nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy or nervousness. Black horehound has a reputation as a normalizer of menstrual function and as a mild expectorant.” (10)
In Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood states that black horehound has a bitter and pungent taste, is for stagnation and depression tissue states, and has a multitude of uses. He states that it can be used with panic attacks and convulsions along with low-spiritedness, migraines, respiratory issues, loss of appetite, intestinal parasites, tachycardia and hypertension, gravel, dropsy, gout, and angry boils. (9)
Dr. Vikram Chauhan, MD (Ayurveda) uses the flowers crushed into fragments in infusions, decoctions, or tinctures. He states that this herb is often combined with other sedative plants. He recommends Black horehound for nervous conditions, particularly insomnia (often combined with passionflower, lime, and valerian), anxiety, irritability, and nervous problems caused by the menopause. He also says that this herb is antispasmodic and soothes coughing fits and stomach cramps. He uses it to treat whooping cough, relieve nausea and vomiting, and ringing in the ear. (12)
I have been using Ballota nigra personally and in my practice for the last six years. My first experience with it was during a panic attack where I had a hard time catching my breath. I took 2 ml of the tincture (1:2 75%) during the panic attack, and I was able to take a deep breath after a couple of minutes. Since then, it is my go-to for helping the individual experiencing shortness of breath due to anxiety have the ability to take in some air and ground themselves. I have utilized this herb as an antispasmodic, nervine, mild sedative, anxiolytic, and digestive. It relieves tension in the stomach and intestines, and throughout the musculoskeletal. I think it is comparable in action to American wood betony (Pedicularis canadensis) as a musculoskeletal relaxant. I do use this herb in some cases with vertigo when it is accompanied by anxiety as well. This herb would be a good choice when someone is grinding their teeth or suffering from TMJ. It does allay nausea symptoms even in smaller drop doses, and helps control vomiting especially in the case of dry heaving. The only time I use it as a simple is for panic attacks, anxiety, and nausea; otherwise, I combine it with other herbs in a formula. Individuals that tend to hold on to their emotions and stuff them down without releasing them benefit from Black horehound in drop doses (3-5 drops, three times daily). It is also indicated for the person dealing with chronic constipation, but not dealing with their own issues emotionally.
Modern research – There are very few studies examining medicinal effects of Ballota nigra within the last ten years. Most of the research is in vitro and focused on the composition of the essential oils from Ballota nigra, and the pharmacological activities based on its chemical composition. Many of the studies I found acknowledge the need for further studies.
Recently, a detailed study was done on the pharmacological activities of Ballota nigra where they found antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic and neurosedative effects, cytotoxic activity, antifungal and antimicrobial activity, and insecticidal activity. (13)
Black horehound was also shown to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells using the leaf extract in vitro, and they recommended further trials should be done because they believe that Ballota nigra will be a potent drug in the future. (14)
A study that reviewed the antiparasitic effects of medicinal plants documented the insecticidal activity of Ballota nigra as a general insect repellent based on the Diterpenes from the whole plant. (15)
The same authors of the previous study also reviewed the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants with a focus on antibacterial activity. They found that the phytochemicals (flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannin, alkaloids, and phenol) in different parts (root, stem, and leaves) of Ballota nigra was investigated and correlated to inhibition of microbes (bacteria and fungi), protozoan (Leishmania), and heavy metals toxicity. In root and stem, flavonoids, terpenes, and phenols present in ethanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate soluble fraction were found to be the most active inhibiting fractions against all the tested strains of bacteria, fungi, and leishmania. (16)
Yet again, these same authors also reviewed Ballota nigra on its own in 2015 to highlight the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects to open the door for further pharmacological studies and clinical uses of the plant as a result of effectiveness and safety. They documented the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, neurosedative, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and anticholinesterase activities of this plant. (7)
Another recent study concluded that Ballota nigra had many therapeutic roles. They had additional mentions of anti-inflammatory properties compared to the previous studies done. It was noted that Ballota nigra is recommended from a medicinal point of view as an important plant and can be a potent candidate for further in vivo bioassays that would lead to the synthesis of safe herbal drugs with no or less side effects of global interest. They concluded that the update gives clear evidence that this plant can be used as supplements to fight against life threatening diseases such as diabetes mellitus. (17)
References:
1.)“Black horehound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20horehound. Accessed 27 Jan. 2022.
2.) “Ballota nigra L.”, Identify.PlantNet.org, https://identify.plantnet.org/the-plant-list/species/Ballota nigra L./data. Accessed 27 Jan. 2022
3.) Hare, Caspari, Rusby, National Standard Dispensatory, 1905, Lea Brothers & Co, Philedelphia and New York. Pg 853
4.) “Ballota nigra”, Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanical Gardens, www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:444976-1. Assessed 27 Jan 2022
5.) “Ballota nigra (black horehound)”, gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org, Native Plant Trust, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/ballota/nigra. Assessed 27 Jan 2022
6.) Vendula Vrchovská, Jiřina Spilková, Patrícia Valentão, Carla Sousa, Paula B. Andrade, Rosa M. Seabra, Antioxidative properties and phytochemical composition of Ballota nigra infusion, Food Chemistry,Volume 105, Issue 4,2007,Pages 1396-1403,ISSN 0308-8146,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.05.016.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/artiart/pii/S030881460700458X). Assessed 27 Jan 2022
7.) Al-Snafi, Ali. (2015). The Pharmacological Importance of Ballota nigra-A review. Ind J of Pharm Sci & Res. 5. 249-256.
8.) Grieve. M., A Modern Herbal Volume 1, 1971, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, pp. 416-417
9.) Wood, M., The Earthwise Herbal: A complete guide to Old World Medicinal Plants, 2008, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California. pg 126
10.) Christopher, John R., School of Natural Healing Centennial Edition, 2009, Christopher Publications, Springville Utah, pp. 19, 351, 589, 590, 592, 595, 604, 605, 607, 608, 613, 614, 615, 616, 618
11.) Hoffman, D., Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine, 2003, Healing Arts Press, Rochester Vermont, pg 533
12.) “Black Horehound’, drvikram.com, Dr. Vikram Chauhan MD, https://drvikram.com/black-horehound.php. Assessed on 27 Jan 2022
13.) Sanjay Kumar and Reshma Kumari, Pharmacological Activities of Ballota nigra (L.) Benth: A Mini Review, International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 114-119, July 2021. doi: 10.18178/ijpmbs.10.3.114-119
14.) Jayaraman S, Rajagopal P, Vishnupriya V, Sivagnanam P, Ravikumar D, et al. Black Horehound (Ballota nigra Linn) Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells (PC-3) Phcogj.com Through Intrinsic Signalling Cascade. Pharmacogn J. 2020;12(6):1377-8
15.) Al-Snafi, Ali. (2016). Antiparasitic effects of medicinal plants (part 1)-A review. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy. 6. 51-66.
16.) Al-Snafi, Ali Esmail. Therapeutic Properties of Medicinal Plants: A review of medicinal plants with central nervous effects (Part 1 ). (2015).
17.) Hemanth Ragav N. V., Dr. Selvaraj J., Dr. Archana Santhanam, Dr. Vishnupriya V., Dr. Gayathri R. (2021). An Update on Therapeutic Role of Ballota Nigra (Black Harehound)-A Review. Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, 648–661. Retrieved from https://www.annalsofrscb.ro/index.php/journal/article/view/1538
18.) Åsen, Per A. 2021. Medieval Monastery Gardens in Iceland and Norway. Religions 12, no. 5: 317. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12050317
19.) Pieroni A. Medicinal plants and food medicines in the folk traditions of the upper Lucca Province, Italy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Jun;70(3):235-73. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00207-x. PMID: 10837988.
20.) Pieroni A, Quave C, Nebel S, Heinrich M. Ethnopharmacy of the ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë) of northern Basilicata, Italy. Fitoterapia. 2002 Jun;73(3):217-41. doi: 10.1016/s0367-326x(02)00063-1. PMID: 12048017.
21.) “Ballota nigra (Black horehound)”, hortipedia.com, Hortipedia. https://en.hortipedia.com/Ballota_nigra. Assessed on 4 February 2022.