Motherwort Materia Medica
Société Apothecary
SUMMARY Motherwort is the plant world’s mama bear. Or mama lion, from its Latin name Leonurus cardiaca , which translates to the Lion-Hearted One. It represents the archetype of the feminine - the Mother. Motherwort has affinities for the digestive, nervous, cardiovascular, and female repreductive systems. MATERIA MEDICA Latin Binomial: Leonurus cardiaca Common Name(s) : Motherwort, Lion'sTail, Throw Wort TCM Name : Yi Mu Cao Ayurvedic Name : Khandbahale Family: L amiaceae (mint family) Physical Description of the Plant: Motherwort is an upright herbaceous perennial with a height of up to 5 feet. with square stems with short hairs. The opposite leaves are dark green above, pale below, oak-shaped and deeply lobed into three, with serrated margins. The flowers are pale pink to purple with three lobed bracts, appearing in leaf acils on the upper part of the plant in whorls of 6 to 12, alternating up the stems with leaves and very prickly. Bloom begins in late June in temperate zones. Habitat: Motherwort is probably native to the southeastern part of Europe and central Asia where it has been cultivated since ancient times. Harvest and Collection: The aerial parts are gathered when in flower. Parts of the Plant Used: Leaves and flowers (Seed, Chong Wei Zi used in TCM.) Qualities: deeply calming to the nerves, a bitter and pungent digestive-stimulant, a relaxing nervine, an antispasmodic and emmenagogue for the reproductive system, and a tonic for the cardiovascular system. Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids (stachydrine, leonurinine) Aroline-betaines (stachydrine, betonicide) Iridoids (ajugoside = leonuride) Glycosides (leonurine, leonuridin) Flavonoids (chiefly flavonols; also methoxy-flavones; genkwanin) Diterpenes (leocardin) Triterpenes (ursolic acid) Caffeic acid Phenolic acids (Caffeic acid derivatives) Phenylethanoid glycosides (verbascoside = acteoside) Tannins vitamin A Taste: Acrid, Very Bitter Actions (Western): Antispasmodic Astringent Bitter tonic Cardiac tonic Cardiovascular trophorestorative Emmenagogue Nervine relaxant Nervine sedative Relaxant diaphoretic Uterine tonic Vasodilator Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Invigorate Blood and Regulate Menses Reduce masses caused by blood stasis Promote Urination and Reduce Swelling Seeds slightly sweet and cold, break up blood and are more astringent and tonifying Cools Liver and Brightens Eyes Premier herb for strengthening the heart and promoting longevity. Meridians : Heart, Pericardium, Liver, Bladder Indications: PMS and cramping, lack of menses (amenorrhea), nervousness, anxiety, heart palpitations, hyperthyroidism, menopausal symptoms, liver stagnation. Contraindications/Cautions: Not recommended during pregnancy due to its emmenagogue action. Drug Interactions: Motherwort lowers blood pressure slightly so it may interact with blood pressure medications. Because of its nervine effects, it may also synergize with anxiolytic or opiate based pain medications. Dosage: Tincture : (extracted fresh in 60% alcohol) take ½ to 1 teaspoon up to twice a day. Infusion : use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day. Because of the very bitter taste, add honey or other sweetener. Combinations: as a heart tonic can be combined with hawthorn and linden, for hotflashes combined with blue vervain and black cohosh, for fevers combined with boneset, yarrow, or blue vervain. Energetics: Cooling, drying Folklore: In ancient China, motherwort was reputed to promote longevity. In Europe, Motherwort first became known as a treatment for cattle diseases. Colonists introduced Motherwort into North America and the 19 th century Eclectics recommended it as a menstruation promoter and aid to expelling the afterbirth. Ritual Uses: herb of Venus and Leo. It is a strengthening herb, giving a person a sense of purpose, and joy in the completion of the work needed. t is also used as an herb of protection and countermagicke. Flower Essence: Motherwort - I AM the wisdom of the grandmothers. Motherwort helps us know the wisdom and power of womanhood. Applications: Anxiety with heart involvement; irregular menses; digestive issues brought on by stress. RECIPES Cool as a Cucumber Tea 1 oz motherwort 2 oz linden flower 1 oz chamomile flower 4 oz skullcap herb 3 oz borage flowers, stems, and leaves 2 oz marshmallow root 2 oz hibiscus flower Combine 1 oz of the mixture with 4 cups of boiling water in a teapot or container with a well-fitting lid. Let stand for fifteen minutes; then strain the tea and store it in a closed container. Allow to cool; drink at room temperature. Nervous GI Formula Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) 20% Hops (Humulus lupulus) 20% Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) 20% Catnip (Nepeta cataria) 20% Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) 20% Hyperthyroid Formula Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) 33% Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) 33% Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) 33% Menopause/Hot Flash Formula Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) 33% Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) 33% Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) 33% SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Phytochemistry. 2018 Mar;147:167-183. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.12.016. Epub 2018 Jan 12. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Leonurus: