Ballota
Ballota, commonly known as White Horehound, is a versatile medicinal herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Renowned for its soothing properties, it is traditionally used to alleviate respiratory ailments, including coughs and congestion. This aromatic plant offers significant therapeutic potential through its diverse bioactive compounds and calming herbal qualities.
- Scientific name: Ballota
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ballota.
| 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 wide geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Ireland. Its presence extends further north into the landscapes of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also documented in Belgium. Additionally, its range reaches into the 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 has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ballonigrin, caryophyllene oxide, dehydrohispanolone, flavonoids, germacrene D.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ballonigrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caryophyllene oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydrohispanolone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hispanolone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ballota has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antiemetic, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Anxiolytic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiemetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitussive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vermifuge | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ballota has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, antitussive, anxiolytic, cough.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antitussive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |