Practical
Plants

Ballota nigra

Black Horehound

a perennial member of the Ballota genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Ballota
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.9 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Black horehound has a long history of herbal use, though is not widely employed in modern herbalism because of its unpleasant flavour[5][8]. Nonetheless, it does have a range of medicinal virtues, being especially effective in its action as an antiemetic[7]. In the past it was often used for treating problems connected with the respiratory system, convulsions, low spirits and the menopause, but present-day authorities differ over whether it was effective in these applications[7]. The whole plant is antiemetic, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant and vermifuge[9][3][5]. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous dyspepsia, travelling sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, arthritis, gout, menstrual disorders and bronchial complaints[5][7]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[5]. It should not be stored for longer than a year[5]. The fresh herb is sometimes used to make a syrup[5].

Product or use
Antiemetic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Vermifuge

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and E. Mediterranean
Habitat
Waste ground, hedgerows, woods and shady places, preferring nitrogen-rich, moist, rather loose soil[1][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following autumn. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade[2][5]. Avoids acid soils in the wild but tolerates a pH down to 5 in cultivation[4]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. This species is widely grown in herb gardens, but little employed because of its strong flavour[5]. Its essential oil is used to adulterate the oil of white horehound (Marrubium vulgare)[5]. The leaves emit a most unpleasant smell when bruised, somewhat like stale perspiration[6]. Plants can self-sow freely when well-sited[5]. There is at least one named variety selected for its ornamental value[5]. The whole plant has an offensive odour[9].

References

  1. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

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