Leonurus cardiaca
| Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca |
Motherwort - Leonurus cardiaca (in the Lamiaceae or Mint family)
Part used: Aerial parts in bud stage.
Taste/smell: Bitter.
Tendencies: Neutral temperature, drying.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 tablespoon per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh strength liquid extract: 20-40 drops 1-4 times per day.
Mental picture and specific indications: Motherwort is used for melancholy, restlessness and disturbed sleep from emotional or physical ailments of the heart. It strengthens the heart.
Use: (a) Female tonic, (b) Diuretic, (c) Antispasmodic, (d) Nervine, (e) Emmenagogue.
Motherwort is used for premenstrual cramps with delayed menstruation, congestive amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, nervous palpitations, premenstrual nerve tension, high blood pressure due to stress and nerve pain from herpes zoster and herpes simplex. It should be taken over a period of months for best results.
Contraindications: It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect. Iit contains the animal uterine-stimulating constituents, stachydrine and leonurine.