Black horehound aerial part powder – Ballota nigra

This plant of the Lamiaceae family is ground into a fine powder from the leaves, stems, and flowering tops. Processing allows it to be incorporated into herbal mixtures for targeted applications, particularly in traditional European herbalism.

Description

Fine powder, brownish-green to grayish in color. Musky odor, very bitter taste. Handle with care. Incorporate into neutral or softening media if necessary.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Black horehound, black horehound
• Latin name: Ballota nigra
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Part used: Aerial part
• Form: Powder
• Origin: Europe, Mediterranean region
• English name: Black horehound powder
• German name: Schwarznesselpulver
• Name in Spanish: Black marrubio powder
• Name in Italian: Polvere di marrubio nero
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق الماروبيو الأسود (Mas'houq al-Mārūbiyū al-Aswad)

Main virtues

Traditionally used for its soothing qualities, it finds its place in ancient preparations aimed at balancing the nervous or digestive systems. Supervised use required.

Main constituents

Marrubiin, tannins, flavonoids, essential oils, phenolic acids.

Use and dosage

• Infusion (reserved use): 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, to infuse for 10 minutes.
• Powdered: to be incorporated into a dry mix according to traditional professional formulas.
• Recommended use: by a healthcare professional or herbalist only.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• ⚠️ Reserved for regulated professional use.
• Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Strong odor and bitterness, handle with care.

History and origin

Well-known in European folk traditions, particularly in Italy, France, and the Balkans, black horehound was once considered a plant for emotional distress and rest. It appears in many ancient herbal collections.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: in an opaque, airtight jar, away from humidity.
• Packaging: lined kraft bag, tinted pot or metal box.
• Appearance: Fine brownish-green to grayish powder.
• Odor: musky, bitter, strong.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Ancient European Pharmacopoeias
• Texts on regulated phytotherapy
• Mediterranean ethnobotanical corpus

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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