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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Herbal Remedies > Black Horehound BLACK HOREHOUND Botanical names Botany Helpful for Traditional use How it works Amount to take Safety check References Botanical name: Ballota nigra Parts used and where grown: This European mint family (Lamiaceae) plant now grows in North America and on other continents as well. The leaf and flower are used medicinally. This plant should not be confused with white horehound, which acts differently. Black horehound has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information): Rating Health Concerns Motion sickness Nausea Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies): Black horehound has primarily been used in European traditional herbalism to relieve nausea, anxiety, or the combination of these conditions.1 It was also used as a mild expectorant and to help normalize menstruation. Active constituents: Phenylpropanoids—flavonoids and compounds found in the volatile oil of black horehound—are believed to be the plant’s major active constituents.2 3 A recent test tube study found black horehound phenylpropanoids to have both antioxidant properties and a sedating effect on overactive nerve cells.4 Although no human studies have been conducted with black horehound, the herb is believed to be useful for treating nausea associated motion sickness due to a possible effect on the central nervous system.5 How much is usually taken? Black horehound is traditionally used as a tea or tincture. Approximately 2 teaspoons of the leaves are added to 1 cup hot water and allowed to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.6 One cup is drunk three times per day. If a tincture is preferred, 1 to 2 ml may be taken three times per day. Black horehound is rarely used alone, and is frequently combined with meadowsweet, chamomile, or ginger for relief of nausea. Are there any side effects or interactions? There are no reports of adverse effects from use of black horehound when taken in the amounts listed above. Black horehound was traditionally used to treat nausea during pregnancy, though no scientific evaluation of the safety or efficacy of this practice has been conducted. Some sources report that black horehound could induce miscarriage when taken in large amounts.7 Consult with a doctor who is trained in botanical medicine before using horehound during pregnancy. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with black horehound. References: 1. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element, 1990:181. 2. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element, 1990:181. 3. Daels-Rakotoarison DA, Seidel V, Gressier B, et al. Neurosedative and antioxidant activities of phenylpropanoids from Ballota nigra. Arzneim Forsch 2000;50:16–23. 4. Daels-Rakotoarison DA, Seidel V, Gressier B, et al. Neurosedative and antioxidant activities of phenylpropanoids from Ballota nigra. Arzneim Forsch 2000;50:16–23. 5. Hoffmann D. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. Rochester, New York: Healing Arts Press, 1998, 29. 6. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element, 1990:181. 7. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Pulbications, 1998, 175. Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights

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