Black horehound originates from rocky wasteland regions of the Mediterranean, Europe and Western Asia. It is a member of the mint family and is now found growing on many continents around the world. It is a completely different species to White horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and has different medicinal properties. The flower and leaf are used in herbal medicine.
Action of Black horehound
It contains compounds such as volatile oil, iridoids and diterpenoids. The volatile oil contains phenylpropanoids which appear to have much of the plants medicinal properties, demonstrating nerve relaxing, anti-emetic (nausea reducing), sedative, stomach calming, anti-spasmodic and antioxidant activity. It is an important herb used by the modern herbalist for nausea and vomiting.
Black horehound Uses
Historically black horehound have been used to treat a number of conditions including:
| Anxiety
| Catarrh
| Gastritis – combined with chamomile
| Hypoglycaemia
| Low spirits
| Menstrual problems
| Morning sickness – in combination with raspberry leaves, but only under supervision from a qualified herbalist
| Nausea
| Nervous indigestion
| Travel sickness
Other Black horehound Information
The leaves are normally available so that a herbal tea can be made and taken up to three times daily. Tinctures may also be available. A herbalist can prepare a remedy relevant for you and will probably combine it with ginger, chamomile, raspberry or meadowsweet.
Cautions When Using Black horehound
| The safety of bistort during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied, so it is best avoided unless directed by a physician.
| At the time of writing there are no well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications from using black horehound.
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