Black horehound
Scientific names: Ballota nigra
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Alternate names: Ballota, Ballote Fétide, Ballote Noire, Ballote Puante, Ballote Vulgaire, Black Stinking Horehound, Marrube Fétide, Marrube Noir, Marrubio Negro
Actions: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cholesterol, Neurosedative
Background
Black horehound is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
People use black horehound for conditions such as nausea, vomiting, spasms, cough, infection of the intestines by parasites, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse black horehound with white horehound.
People use black horehound for conditions such as nausea, vomiting, spasms, cough, infection of the intestines by parasites, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse black horehound with white horehound.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Black horehound is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but there isn't enough reliable information to know what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe or what the side effects might be.
When given as an enema (rectally): There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe or what the side effects might be.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe to use when breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Parkinson disease: Black horehound contains chemicals that affect the brain. There is some concern that black horehound might affect treatment for Parkinson disease.
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders: Black horehound contains chemicals that affect the brain. There is some concern that black horehound might harm people with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe or what the side effects might be.
When given as an enema (rectally): There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to take black horehound by mouth if you are pregnant. Black horehound may affect the menstrual cycle, and this could threaten the pregnancy. There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe to apply to the skin or give as an enema (rectally) when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.There isn't enough reliable information to know if black horehound is safe to use when breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Parkinson disease: Black horehound contains chemicals that affect the brain. There is some concern that black horehound might affect treatment for Parkinson disease.
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders: Black horehound contains chemicals that affect the brain. There is some concern that black horehound might harm people with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Nervous disorders.
- Cough.
- Spasms.
- Gout.
- Infection of the intestines by parasites.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of black horehound depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for black horehound. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications used for Parkinson disease (Dopamine agonists)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Black horehound contains chemicals that affect the brain. These chemicals affect the brain similarly to some medications used for Parkinson disease. Taking black horehound with these medications might increase the effects and side effects of some medications used for Parkinson disease.
Some medications used for Parkinson disease include bromocriptine (Parlodel), levodopa (Dopar, component of Sinemet), pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Black horehound has chemicals that might have a variety of functions, such as helping to stop nausea, vomiting, spasms, and other effects.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 22/02/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 08/12/2014 18:26:35. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
