Ballote: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Mis à jour le 8 November 2025

Ballota is a perennial plant widespread in France, Western Asia, and North Africa, thriving in places such as rubble, hedgerows, and paths. It can reach up to 1 meter in height. It has hairy stems and oval or oblong leaves. The flowering tops, recognizable by their purple and fragrant flowers, are harvested during flowering and used in therapeutics. Ballota contains diterpenes such as ballotinone and ballotenol, flavonoids including apigenin-7-glucoside and luteolin, as well as phenylpropanoid glycosides like verbascoside. It also has a low concentration of essential oils, with components such as beta-caryophyllene. Traditionally, Ballota is used for its sedative virtues, particularly against hysteria and hypochondria, and for its spasmolytic properties that help relieve cramps and gastric disorders. It is also valued for its beneficial effects on mild nervous disorders, insomnia and anxiety-depressive states.

Other name(s)

Black horehound

Scientific name(s)

Ballota nigra

Family or group:

Plants

Active ingredients:

Verbascoside

Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.

One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.

Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.

No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Nervousness, Sleep disorders
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In an open clinical study, 28 patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III-R), including depression and sleep disorders, were treated daily for 90 days with three doses of 5 ml of a liquid preparation of Ballota nigra, corresponding to 3 x 0.5 g of plant. Response rates after 60 and 90 days were 65% and 73%, respectively. Patients with sleep disorders showed a particularly notable improvement. Of 10 patients who were taking benzodiazepines before the study, 3 stopped their medication and 4 reduced their dose by half.nnBallota nigra is recognized for its effectiveness in the treatment of mild nervous tension, insomnia, and as an adjunct in anxious-depressive conditions. ESCOP confirms these indications, specifying that Ballota nigra helps relieve tension, agitation, and irritability, with difficulties falling asleep.nn

Posologie

Oral use: flowering tops

1.5 - 5 g

3 months

infusion

E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs

Properties

Sedative

The sedative effect of Ballota may be attributed to phenylpropanoid glycosides such as verbascoside and forsythoside B, which interact with benzodiazepine and dopaminergic receptors, mimicking the action of neuroleptics. These compounds may also reduce locomotor activity and slow electroencephalographic activity, thanks to their powerful antioxidant action. Studies indicate that these phenylpropanoids, by neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidants, contribute to neuroprotection and the sedative effect, thus offering therapeutic potential against stress and nervous disorders.

Usages associés

Nervousness

Neurosedative and antioxidant activities of phenylpropanoids from Ballota nigra

Antibacterial

Ballota exhibits antimicrobial activity, acting against various pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi. Extracts from different parts of the plant, including the root, stem, and leaves, have demonstrated significant efficacy.nn

Pharmacological Activities of Ballota nigra (L.) Benth: A Mini Review

Safe dosage

Adults aged 12 years and older:

- infusion: 1.5-4 g per infusion, 3 times a day.nn- fluid extract: 1-3 mL (1:1, 25% alcoholic), 3 times a day.nn- tincture: 1-2 mL (1:10, 45% alcoholic), 3 times a day.nn

Children aged 3 to 12 years:

The use of ballote in children aged 3 to 12 should be carried out only under medical supervision. The recommended dosage for children is proportional to the adult dose based on their body weight. It is preferable to use non-alcoholic preparations to administer ballote to children.

Interactions

Médicaments

Dopamine agonist: moderate interaction

The interaction between ballote and dopaminergic agonists may have theoretical additive effects. Some substances present in ballote bind to D2 dopaminergic receptors in vitro, but this has not yet been reported in humans. Dopaminergic agonists include bromocriptine (Parlodel), levodopa (Dopar, component of Sinemet), pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), among others.

Precautions

Pregnant woman: avoid

Ballote is believed to have an effect on the menstrual cycle, although this has not been scientifically demonstrated. Therefore, its use is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding woman: avoid