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Motherwort

Latin: Leonurus Cardiaca
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint)

Venus owns this herb and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart…and makes a merry, cheerful soul.
(Nicholas Culpepper)

Originally from Central Asia and southeastern Europe, it is now found worldwide, spread largely due to its use as an herbal remedy. Motherwort prefers well drained soil and a partly shady location; common beside roadsides, in vacant fields, waste ground, rubbish dumps and other disturbed areas. Introduced to North America as a bee-foraging plant and to attract bumble bees, this perennial herb is now considered invasive.

Properties & Actions

Nervine (tonic, anxiolytic, mild hypnotic), Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Hepatic, Cardiotonic, Hypotensive

Appearance and habitat: this is a typical member of the mint family. The stems are stiffly square, the flat sides usually slightly concave leaving the four corners slightly rigid. The opposing leaves are deeply cleft, the upper three-lobed, the lower usually five-lobed, almost palmate; Leaf formations are widely varied in our area. The perennial grows from 1 1/2 to three feet in height, with mixed lengths of stems and a scattering of basil leaves and short basil stems. The flowers form clusters around the upper leaves, and are usually white or pink. In the fall these clusters may extend a foot or more above the highest leaves in a neat segmented fashion. The only other members of the mint family found in the West with these auxiliary whorls are Poleo, which is strongly aromatic (Motherwort has a very slight scent if at all), and Bugleweed, with serrated but never palmate leaves. Further the calyx tubes of the flowers are sharp and burr like, strong enough to pierce the skin, similar to but even sharper than Horehound. Motherwort has no predictable habitat in the West, being a naturalized plan, but is encountered periodically here and there near towns and farming areas, generally between 4,000 and 8,000 feet. (Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West)

Uses & Indications

False labor pains
Anxiety/tension
Amenorrhea/dysmenorrhea
Menopause
Tachycardia
Heart palpitations
Lack of appetite
Insomnia

The binomial of this plant illustrates the range of uses to which it has been put. "Motherwort" indicates its relevance for menstrual and uterine conditions, while "cardiaca" suggests that it is beneficial in cardiovascular and circulatory system treatments. The herb is valuable for stimulating delayed or suppressed menstruation, especially when anxiety or tension is involved, and may be used to ease false labor pains. It is a useful relaxing tonic for menopausal changes. Motherwort is also an excellent heart tonic, strengthening without straining. It is considered a specific for tachycardia (heart palpitations), especially when brought on by anxiety or other such causes. It may be used in all heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension. Motherwort has demonstrated cardioactivity in vitro. An alcoholic extract was found to have a direct inhibitory effect on myocardial cells: It exerted an antagonistic action against calcium chloride and stimulated both a and b adrenoceptors.
According to Priest and Priest, motherwort is
. . . diffuse, stimulating and relaxing, an antispasmodic nervine: indicated for reflex conditions affecting cardiac function, and as a simple cardiac tonic. It also influences pre-menstrual nerve tension and muscular rigidity. They provided the following specific indications: anemic nervousness and insomnia, palpitations, cardiac weakness after infections, neurosis, hyperthyroid cardiac reactions, premenstrual syndrome, congestive amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea. (David Hoffman, Medical Herbalism)

Motherwort is used for premenstrual cramps with delayed menstruation, congestive amenorrhea or menstrual cramps, nervous palpitations, premenstrual nerve tension, high blood pressure due to stress, insomnia due to anxiety and nerve pain from herpes zoster and herpes simplex. For chronic issues it needs to be taken over a period of months for best results. It has been used for chronic atrial fibrillation and heart inflammation including endocarditis and pericarditis. Leonurus heterophyllus has been shown to decrease blood viscosity and free fibrinogen volume and decrease platelet aggregation in one human study. (Sharol Tilgner, Herbal Medicine From The Heart of The Earth)

Systems Affinity

Cardiovascular, Reproductive, Endocrine

Energetics

Cool, Dry, Bitter

Harvesting Guidelines

Motherwort’s square stem lets you know that it is related to mints. This plant’s soft and petite pink flowers resemble the state of a healthy and radiant reproductive tissue. Growing upwards of 10 feet tall, motherwort looks down and watches over other plants living side by side, the first indication of the protective matriarch. Like other mints, Leonurus can be collected in a similar fashion. Collecting in spring time is recommended, in the early stages of its flowering. Use fresh or dry.

Parts Used

Aerial

From the Apothecary

Mother Balm | Sweet Calm | Soothes Nerves & Eases Tensions | High Frequency Herbal Extract with Gemstone and Flower Essences |Calming, soothing, loving; eases stress and heated states of emotion, suited to sensitive children and adults. For mild states of anxiety and related sleep disturbances. Helpful for stress related to the solar plexus, belly area. Calms and restores the nervous system; Mildly sedating. For those whom need comforting.

Motherwort, Lemon Balm, Chamomile

Mother Balm Tincture

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