Ballota nigra
Ballota nigra, commonly known as black horehound, is a perennial medicinal herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Renowned for its distinctive dark leaves and grayish flowers, it has historically been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory ailments, coughs, and digestive issues, offering valuable therapeutic properties in herbalism.
- Scientific name: Ballota nigra
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Ballota, with the species name nigra.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ballota | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. It can also be found further north within the borders of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is established in Belgium. Additionally, its range extends through the central territories of Czechia and Slovakia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ballota nigra has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ballotetroside, arenarioside, forsythoside B, verbascoside, 13-hydroxyballonigrinolide.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ballotetroside | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arenarioside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| forsythoside B | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| verbascoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 13-hydroxyballonigrinolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeoyl-L-malic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ballota nigra has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neurosedative, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosedative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ballota nigra has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, anxiety, atherogenesis, depression.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |