Ballota

Ballota: introduction

“Ballota”, “black horehound” and “fetid horehound” are common terms attributed to Ballota foetida, known - as the vulgar names and the botanical name suggest - for the unpleasant odor emanating from the whole plant. But the unwelcome aroma of ballota, such as to be defined precisely fetid, must not be misleading: in fact, the plant is widely exploited for phytotherapeutic purposes, in particular to counter states of anxiety, stress, menstrual pain, irritability and cough. During the discussion, the general and botanical characteristics of ballota will be analyzed. , as well as herbal and herbal remedies.

Generality

As expressed above, the ballota plant is known above all for its bad smell: precisely for this reason, in the course of history, it has taken on a multitude of rather derogatory names, such as fetid horehound and cimiciotta. But the ballota plant does not only have an unpleasant smell: in fact, even to the taste, this is bitter, acrid and - for some - even nauseating.
It should also be noted that the common term "horehound" attributed to ballota does not refer to the horehound proper (Horehound vulgaris).
The name of the genus (Ballota) comes from the Greek, and refers to "refusal, refuse": the reference to the Greek expresses in a very subtle - as well as ironic - the "aversion of man and animals to this plant, precisely because of the its bad smell, albeit characteristic and easily distinguishable, of ballota.

Botanical description

In botany, ballota is also known as Ballota nigra subsp. Foetida, belonging to the family of Labiate, the same as lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, etc. The Ballota genus includes about 35 different species, typical of the temperate climate countries of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. It grows easily especially in uncultivated and wild areas. : in this regard, it is understandable how the plant is very widespread in Europe.
The ballota plant can reach variable heights: some species, in fact, only grow up to 40 centimeters, while others reach almost one and a half meters. The stem, woody and covered with a light down, is quadrangular and not very branched.
The root is taproot, while the opposite leaves have an oval or heart shape, with a jagged and irregular margin. The flowers, beautiful and purple in color, are bilabate, grouped in axillary glomeruli.
The ballota plant grows up to 1,300 meters above sea level, preferably in calcareous soils.

Chemical analysis

Numerous chemical components have been isolated in the ballota, clearly exploited in the phytotherapeutic field: caffeic acid, saponins, dipertenoids (ballotenol, ballotinone, marrubiin), glycosylated flavonoids, and betaines.
Only in recent years, a further class of chemical components has been isolated: these are phenylpropanoid glycosides, to which the neurosedative and antioxidant action is attributed.

Ownership and uses

As can be guessed, the ballota plant is not used for food purposes, given its particularly unpleasant smell and taste. However, ballota is widely used in the herbal field: the drug is made up of the whole dried plant.

If in the past numerous relaxing and vulnerable properties were attributed to ballota, currently the drug is used in particular as an antispasmodic, tranquilizer, sedative and antitussive agent. Furthermore, ballota can be used during the premenstrual and menopausal phase, in order to reduce the state of anxiety and irritability that characterize the two periods.
The infusion of ballota is not a recommended herbal practice, given the unpleasant smell; in any case, it is still possible to prepare the infusion to take advantage of the plant's cholagogue capacity. In this case, it is advisable to correct the bitter taste of ballota with drugs corrigens, such as mint, licorice or fennel.

Summary

TO FIX THE CONCEPTS

Ballota: terminology "Ballota", "black horehound", "cimiciotta" and "fetido horehound" → common terms
Ballota foetida → botanical name

• The nomenclature announces the typical characteristic of the plant: the unpleasant smell

Ballotta: sensory characteristics Odor: unpleasant, acrid
Taste: bitter, nauseating
View: rather decorative plant, with beautiful and colorful flowers Ballota: etymology of the term "Ballota" comes from the Greek: refusal, to refuse → aversion of man and animals to this plant with an unpleasant smell Ballota: botanical description

• Full botanical name: Ballota nigra subsp. Foetida
• Family: Labiate
• Distribution: Temperate climate countries of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa
• Height: variable (40cm-1.5 meters)
• Stem: woody and covered with a light down, it is quadrangular and not very branched
• Root: taproot
• Leaves: opposite, oval or heart shape
• Leaf margin: serrated
• Flowers: beautiful and purple, bilabate, grouped in axillary glomeruli
• Altitude: it grows up to 1,300 meters above sea level
• Soil: calcareous

Ballota: chemical compounds

• Caffeic acid
• Saponins
• Dipertenoids (ballotenol, ballotinone, marrubiina)
• Glycosylated flavonoids
• Betaine
• Phenylpropanoid glycosides

Ballota: phytotherapeutic uses Drug: dried whole plant
Antispasmodic
Take it easy
Sedative
Antitussive
It reduces the state of anxiety in the premenstrual and menopausal period
Cholagogenic properties → Infusion: correct unpleasant taste and smell with corrigens drugs

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