Ballota nigra 'Black Horehound'

[Ex. Bamburgh, Northumberland, England]

Lamiaceae: a straggly, bushy, hairy perennial to 50cm. it has a pungent and some say unpleasant small when bruised. Found growing on disturbed ground, riverbanks and roadside verges. The pinkish purple flowers, in whorls from June-September. Stalked, ovate or heart-shaped leaves. Locally common in England and Wales but scarce or absent elsewhere. Native most of Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandinavia to North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean.

USES:

Black horehound has a long history of herbal use, though is not widely employed in modern herbalism because of its unpleasant flavour, nonetheless, it does have a range of medicinal virtues, being especially effective in its action as an antiemetic. In the past it was often used for treating problems connected with the respiratory system, convulsions, low spirits and the menopause, but present-day authorities differ over whether it was effective in these applications. The whole plant is antiemetic, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant and vermifuge. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous dyspepsia, travelling sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, arthritis, gout, menstrual disorders and bronchial complaints. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use, but it should not be stored for longer than a year. The fresh herb is sometimes used to make a syrup.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in spring or autumn in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following autumn.

HARVESTED: 2020

 
APPROX. 50+ SEEDS