SCIENTIFIC NAME
Leonurus cardiaca
COMMON NAME
Motherwort
PARTS USED
Aerial
CONSTITUENTS
Iridiods (leonuride and others)
Labdane diterpenes (including leocardin)
Flavinoids (apigenin, kaempferol, and quercitin glucosides)
Caffeic acid
Alkaloids (0.35%): tachydrine, betonicine, turicin, leonurine
Tannins (2-8%)
Volotile oil (0.05%)
ACTIONS
Nervine
Emmenagogue
Antispasmodic
Hepatic
Cardiotonic
Hypotensive
Anti-arrhythmic
Sedative
Vasodilator
ENERGETICS
Cooling
Slightly relaxing
INDICATIONS
coming soon
SAFETY
Excessive use may interfere with other cardiovascular teatments.
Avoid during pregnancy and menstruation with excessive bleeding.
PREPARATIONS
Tincture
Infusion
ORIGIN
Central Asia
Southeast Europe
GROWTH
Perennial
FOUND IN
Grown wild in wet areas such as floodplains and riverbanks, or along streams.
A common weed along roadsides and in neglected gardens.
FOLK HISTORY
Nicholas Culpeper considered motherwort useful for removing melancholy vapors from the heart, improving cheerfulness, and settling the wombs of mothers. (Culpeper, Nicholas (1814). Culpeper's Complete Herbal. No. 8, White's Row, Spitalfields: Richard Evans. p. 121.)
In 15th century Europe, motherwort was considered by some herbalists to protect against evil spirits. (Grieve, Maude (1971). A Modern Herbal Vol. II. New York: Dover Publications. p. 556.)
In the Middle Ages, motherwort was used to soothe the nervous system and calm anxiety. In ancient Greece, it was given to pregnant women to relieve anxiety.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH/STUDIES
Leonurus cardiaca L. as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: An Update of the European Medicines Agency Assessment Report (2010)
Phytochemical and Psychotropic Research of Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.) Modified Dry Extracts
Effect of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in patients with arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders
Read more