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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 Motherwort - Leonurus cardiaca
‘Drink Motherwort and live to be a source of continuous astonishment and grief to waiting heirs.' (Anon, origin unknown)
Written by Clare Baker and Isla Burgess
Information in 'Keeping the Plants Alive' is a guide and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a qualified health practitioner.
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The Old Ways
Culpepper wrote:
‘There is no better herb to drive melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it and make the mind cheerful, blithe and merry, it makes mothers joyful and settles the womb.'
Other old writers speak of its ability to calm palpitations of the heart. (Grieve)
Plants, it seems have no difficulty in seeing the body and mind as interconnected and motherwort while having a noticeable effect on the physical also changes the mental/emotional outlook.
The New Ways
‘The cool, calm and collected herb'. (Susun Weed)
Motherwort is an overlooked herb in the popular press where St Johns' wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Kava (Piper methysticum) would seem to be the only herbs affecting the nervous system (mental/emotional) with both positive and negative press.
Is this because no one has focused on this plant? Certainly the lack of research would indicate this, yet it is used in herbal medicine clinics all over the western world.
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What Plant?
A member of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family it is native to Europe. The name ‘Leo' – lion, ‘nura' – tail, the shape of the leaves (and in some books the stem) is said to resemble a lion's tail.
‘Cardiaca' – heart, many of the leaves are indeed heart shaped!
Description
Motherwort is strongly smelling and erect, a perennial growing 90 – 150 cm tall on stout square stems, branching and hairy and at times prickly.
The deeply lobed and sharply serrated leaves are pale green beneath and darker on top. The lower leaves being more heartshaped.
Flowers appear in early summer to mid autumn, are pale pink to purple with darker splotches, very hairy, small and arranged in whorls of 6 to 12 in the leaf axils.
Several species from various parts of the world, which include L. sibiricus, L. glaucescens, L. dominutus and L. heterophyllus, have shown hypotensive, sedative and anti-platelet properties. It has been said that for therapeutic purposes the species are interchangeable. However modern Medical Herbalists would probably be more cautious. Most current research appears to be carried out on the Chinese Motherwort, Leonurus artemisia.
Cultivation
A very hardy plant which does not need special soils although it does prefer a sunny position.
Propagate by root division in mid autumn or late spring.
It self sows profusely and may have to be watched in some areas.
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When to Harvest and What Part?
The aerial parts are collected during the flowering season and are used fresh or dried.
Northern Hemisphere – between June and September
Southern Hemisphere – between December and May
How and When to use?
Actions
Generally motherwort is described as being a sedative, a nervine relaxant, an antispasmodic, an emmenagogue, mildly hypotensive, a cardiac tonic, a gentle uterine stimulant, a carminative, a diaphoretic, a bitter tonic, an hepatic and slightly astringent.
It has a wide range of indications therapeutically affecting:
The Heart…..
Motherwort is an excellent heart tonic often said to ‘strengthen without straining' suitable for treating palpitations and irregular heartbeat. It is a specific for people with tachycardia caused by anxiety and may be used in all heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension.
It is often used with Hawthorn (Crateagus oxycanthus) for people with hypertension and is specific for hyperthyroid cardiac reactions.
The Nervous system….
Its sedative action eases the symptoms of anxiety attacks, nervousness and stress.
The Reproductive system…
For delayed menstruation specifically if related to anxiety or stress, an antispasmodic for premenstrual nervous tension and cramping
The Digestive system….
Tannins and bitter principles make it useful in treating digestive disorders especially if related to stress or anxiety. David Hoffman lists it as hepatic.
It also has a role to play in the treatment of some Menopausal symptoms.
For palpitations, anxiety, disturbed sleep, to aid vascular stability, treat hypertension and general support of the cardiac system.
Note
Ursolic acid a constituent found in Motherwort has been shown to have significant anti-tumour action on human colon tissue (Li J et al, 2002). Extracts taken from Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be effective at inhibiting the parasite responsible for Chagas' Disease, for which there is currently no known treatment.
How to prepare?
Many old herbals describe making a conserve or syrup, it being too unpleasant to use as a decoction or infusion. (See ‘Keeping the Plants Alive' for St. Johns Wort).
How much to use
Daily dose
Infusion: 2-4g of herb in 150 ml water.
Fluid Extract:1:2(g/ml)2-3ml
Tincture:1:5 (g/ml): 4-10ml
Safety
Contraindications
None known.
Side Effects
The Botanical Safety Handbook states, "A dose in excess of 3.0 grams of a powdered extract may cause diarrhoea, uterine bleeding, and stomach irritation" (McGuffin et al., 1997).
Clinically some women experience heavier menstrual bleeding when taking motherwort.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended during pregnancy especially during first trimester. No restrictions are suggested during lactation.
Interactions with Other Drugs
None known.
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References
Li J, Guo WJ, Yang QY. World J Gastroenterol 2002 Jun;8(3):493-5 Effects of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid on human colon carcinoma cell line HCT15.
Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 British Herbal Compendium, Volume 1, BHMA, Bournemouth.
McGuffin, M. Hobbs, C. Upton, R. Goldberg, A. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin Books
Reflections
Personal Use (Clare Baker)
I have used Motherwort (1:2 Fluid Extract) to treat myself for anxiety. I have also used Motherwort in a 50:50 mix with Vitex (both 1:2 Fluid Extracts) hoping to relieve the soreness of breast lumps. I took 5 ml twice daily for two weeks and the lumps completely disappeared.
I sometimes experience irregular heartbeat. Motherwort tincture is very effective at restoring normal heart rhythm and I have also successfully used Motherwort tea for the same.
Several years ago I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. The associated almost constant tachycardia caused a condition where my heart would skip a beat and wake me up just as I was about to fall asleep. A combination of Motherwort and Inula racemosa taken over several weeks relieved this condition.
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