Copyright © 1990 - 2023 by Robert Dale Rogers. All rights reserved.
No portion of this e-book, except for a brief review, may be reproduced or copied and transmitted, without permission of the author. This book is for educational purposes only. The suggestions, recipes and historical information are not meant to replace a medical advisor. The author assumes no liability for unwise or unsafe usage by readers of this book.
MOTHERWORT
(Leonurus cardiaca L.)
SIBERIAN MOTHERWORT
(L. sibiricus L.)
ASIAN MOTHERWORT
(L. artemisia [Lour.] S. Y. Hu)
(L. japonicus Houtt.)
(L. heterophyllus Sweet.)
PARTS USED- aerial parts; Motherwort leaf and flower
In the midst of the valley is Tui-(Motherwort)
All withered and dry.
A girl on her own,
Bitterly she sobs,
Bitterly she sobs,
Faced with man’s unkindness.
ANCIENT POEM
Drink Motherwort tea and live to be a source of continuous astonishment and frustration to waiting heir.
JAPANESE SAYING
INTRODUCTION
Leonurus means lion tail, and cardiaca, of the heart. Motherwort suggests its use in conditions of the womb.
Motherwort is an introduced perennial that has sporadically established itself throughout the Canadian prairies. It thrives in well- drained, alkaline and sandy soil, It is a member of the Mint family, with the familiar square stem, opposite leaves, and flowers in the upper leaf axils. The flowers are white to pink, with purple spots. The pink lips of the flower, according to the Doctrine of Signatures, look like a vagina, and hence are useful for menstrual problems.
It does not, however, have any mint odour, but a mildly unpleasant scent that only bees appear to appreciate. The leaves are large, toothed and palmate, most un-mint like.
Various native tribes integrated Motherwort into their repertory including the Cherokee. It was given as a stimulating tea, and for nervous and hysterical affections, including fainting and nervous stomach unease.
They believed the plant a gift from the Iroquois and called it E TSI, meaning mother, using it for “cramp and weak hearts of women.”
The Mohegan, Mi’kmaq, and Delaware all used the plant for female conditions, including amenorrhea, and uterine spasms.
The ancient Greeks valued the herb not only for heart problems, but to relieve pain during childbirth, or help those suffering anxiety during pregnancy.
An ancient tale tells of a town where the water source came from a stream surrounded by banks of motherwort. It is said that many in the town lived to be 130 years old, or more.
Culpepper said. “Venus owns this herb and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to drive melancholy vapors from the heart, to strengthen it and make the mind cheerful, blithe and merry.” To translate, motherwort is for women and the heart.
John Gerard, the 16th century English herbalist said many “commend it against the infirmities of the heart: it is judged to be so forceable that it is thought it took this name Cardiaca, of the effect.”
Herbalists of the time such as Leonhart Fuchs wrote, “motherwort is excellent for the beating of the heart.” Adamus Lonicerus added, “with its root crushed and laid upon the chest, it removes constraint of the heart. And used thus, it makes the breast roomy.”
Various Eclectic physicians, including Dr. Cook appreciated motherwort. “The nerves receive the most benefit of its influence, whence it is called as a nervine tonic and antispasmodic. In warm preparations it maintains a gentle outward circulation, and promotes the menstrual and lochial flow; and in this form proves of value in recent suppression...painful menstruation, and hysterical forms of nervousness and palpitation.
In cold preparations, it promotes appetite and digestion, strengthens the uterus.”
Asian Motherwort (L. artemisia) is an annual, or sometime biennial, that grows well on the prairies. The plant prefers rich, warm, moist sandy loam, but I have seen it growing on dry and extremely poor alkaline soil.
The Japanese traditionally drank a beverage of YAKUMOSO flowers to ensure long life. This species (L. sibiricus) is an Herb of Life, and has its own festival.
On the ninth day of the ninth month, KIKOUSOUKI, meaning Month of the Motherwort Flowers, a celebration is held. The flowers eaten with rice, stirred in saki cups, and blessings for a long life are exchanged.
Siberian Motherwort is mentioned in the ancient Book of Songs, the Chinese Shih Ching written ca. 1000-500 BC. It was called T’UEI.
Asian Motherwort is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as YI MU CAO meaning, “good for mother”, or CHONG WEI, “full and flourishing” because the stem, leaf and fruit are thick and abundant. At one time, the seeds, CHONG WEI ZI, were eaten as a substitute for sesame seeds. One common name is Benefit Mother Weed, another Bloody Mother Herb.
In Vietnam and Japan, the plant is used to promote menses, while in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam it invigorates the flow of blood.
The dried leaf of L. sibiricus can be rolled as smoked as a hemp-like substitute. In Mexico, it is known as MARIJUANILLO, meaning Little Marijuana. It is popular in Malaysia as a substitute smoke.
In Vera Cruz, the herb is used in folk magic to make the groom return to the marriage.
It is believed that the true Asian Motherwort is L. artemisia, and that L. sibiricus is a separate, clearly defined species. Other authors believe they are variations of the same species.
Motherwort seed germinates within 10-14 days, and can be thinned to 8 inch spacing after developing four or five leaves.
The whole herb is harvested in early fall in full flower, and dried in partial shade with good ventilation. The full flower herb is richest in active ingredients, with a significant lack of benzoic acid and other constituents, before blooming, and after seed formation.
Seeds are harvested when ripe.
Motherwort is hardy to zone 3, and will easily self-sow when established. It prefers a well-drained soil with a pH of 7.7, with lots of sun. Germination takes 2-3 weeks, with high variability and low germination rates.
Seed seven to eight pounds of seed per acre, with up to 1000 pounds of dry leaf and flowers expected at end of first year. Subsequent years can double or triple in production.
In one Romanian trial, seeds were sown in November, mid-March, mid-April and late April. The highest yields were obtained from sowing in fall or early spring at over 2000 kg/ha, and seed yields of 217 kg/ha from sowing in fall.
The addition of manganese, iodine, cobalt and copper, stimulate the formation of compounds connected with cardio-vascular and sedative activities in Motherwort. Dranitsyna et al, Biol Aktivn 1975.
Motherwort has been investigated for veterinary use. Work by Nikolaenko, Veterinariya Moskva 1990 4 looked at the protective effect of plant infusions during vaccination of chicken broilers.
MEDICINAL
CONSTITUENTS- L. cardiaca- a number of alkaloids including leonurine (0.0068%), leonurinine, leonurine A&B, stachydrine (a pyrrolidine type alkaloid), betaine, betonicine and turicin, iridoid monoterpenes like leonuride (ajugoside and ajugol), galiridoside, and reptoside; various bitter glycosides ; alpha humulene, furanic labdane diterpenes (20-70 mcg/g fresh wt) leocardin, leosibirin, preleosibirin, and isoballotenol acetate; bufenolide glycosides, tannins (9.5-10%), leonurin, stachyose, choline, lavandulifolioside, malic acid, calcium chloride, trace minerals, resins, essential oils, lauric acid, citric acid, malic acid, oleic acid, ursolic acid, caffeic acid 4-rutinoside.
Also contains a number of flavonoids including rutin, quinqueloside, genkwanin, quercitin, quercetrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside; as well as apigenin and kaempferol glucosides.
seeds- a Cad-specific lectin; 22% protein; 30% fat; root- stachyose
L. sibiricus- sibiricinones, three diterpenes, leosibiricine, leosibirine, and isoleosibiricine, 15-epi-sibiricinones, genkwanin (flavone), rutin, four quanidine derivatives (4-guanidinobutanol, arginine, 4-guanidine butyric acid and leonurine), l-stachydrine, syringic acid, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid depsides, various alkaloids including stachydrine, leonuridine, leonurinine, and leonurine; various acids, including benzoic, lauric, linoleic and oleic; phytosterols, arginine, 4-guanidino-1- butanol, 4-guanidinobutyric acid, stachyose, flavonoids, bitter glycosides, tannins, stachyose, potassium chloride, trace minerals, vitamin A, and a variety of flavonoids including rutin, kaempferol, hyperoside, quercitrin and quercitin.
seed- leonurine
plant- 0.01-0.04% leonurine, stachydrine, prehispanolone, apigenin, genkwanin, isoquercitrin.
Motherwort is used worldwide for treating the heart and uterus. The herb is most reliable in cases of PMS associated with frustration, irritability, depression, heart palpitations and insomnia. Delayed or suppressed menstruation, associated with anxiety, tension, or cold is relieved, combining well with vervain as a relaxing nervine. It helps relieve smooth muscle parasympathetic cramping. In China, it is used to relax muscle tension associated with painful and frustrating vaginismus.
It is a mint with bitter acrid taste, calming to the sympathetic nervous system.
Menstrual cramps with little or no bleeding are relieved. Taken over time, motherwort encourages strong uterine contractions, by strengthening tissue. As the uterus is more toned, less cramping occurs in the future.
Motherwort may reduce endogenous inflammatory mediators by enhancing the synthesis of prostaglandins via prostaglandin E9-ketoreductase that is important in synthesis of useful PGE2 prostaglandins. Hsieh et al, Proc Nat Sci Council Repub China 1985 9:3.
The herb brings more blood to the pelvic region and thickens the bladder, uterus and vaginal tissue, increasing tone and elasticity. It possesses beta-blocking activity with specific affinity to the uterus and vascular tissue.
It contains some of the same constituents as wood betony, and shares both nervine and uterine stimulating properties. The plant is warming in nature, with a bitter or acrid bent, similar to valerian root.
Clymer suggests small amounts can be taken prenatally for preventing toxemia. I have no experience with using the herb in this way, but I would exercise caution, due to the oxytocic effects. For painful dysmenorrhea, delayed labour and as a hemostat for postpartum hemorrhage, the herb is most effective.
Stachydrine, for example, possesses oxytocic activity. Dosage is important, as too much of the herb before the uterus has clamped down, may precipitate bleeding. Small amounts assist the uterus in contract after delivery, in a manner more effective than ergot.
Leonurine induces uterine contractions at low concentrations, but inhibits at higher, in test tube studies. These seemingly opposite results may explain how motherwort can induce labour and menstruation, as well as relax the uterus after childbirth. Yeung et al, Planta Medica 1977 31; Kong et al, Am J Chin Med 1976 4.
Taken once or twice daily for a week, beginning the day after giving birth, can help ease tension in the new mother, and prevent uterine infection. Sitz baths with uva ursi will also help. If it causes increased flooding, replace the herb with bugleweed, according to Michael Moore.
Taken immediately after birth may increase bleeding so use caution, but it will stimulated suppressed lochia and help promote postpartum uterine drainage. It will not increase post birthing uterine contractions induced by nursing.
Ellingwood writes, “Professor John King regarded motherwort as superior to all other remedies in suppression of the lochia, giving it internally and applying a fomentation of the herb over the lower abdominal region.”
For fibroids, it combines well with black cohosh. Add cramp bark to these two herbs as a combination for painful dysmenorrhea, but do not use when bleeding is heavy. For amenorrhea, combine with thuja or yarrow to promote menstruation.
Lectins from seeds affect red blood cell agglutination and believed part of blood flow enhancement. Bird et al, Clin Lab Haematol 1979 1:1.
Motherwort helps relieve stress affecting the heart, such as in hyperthyroid conditions; combining well with bugleweed.
Various glycosides are cardiotonic and anti-spasmodic, which are of cumulative benefit over time, helping ease palpitations and tachycardia.
Motherwort, combined with hawthorn, will slow the heartbeat, lower blood pressure, and give a steady, strengthened pulse. Both contain organic sources of calcium chloride that supports and nourishes cardiac muscle.
Work by Ritter et al, Planta Medica 2010 76:6 572-82 suggests various pathways related to improving cardiac function.
It exerts calcium antagonistic activity by I blockade, reduces the repolarising current I, and prolongs AP duration. I is not affected. k.r na
It therefore works on multiple electrophysiological targets at whole organ and single cell levels.
Michael Moore put it well. “I am not referring to thyroid disease here but the tendency for a certain subset of folks to increase thyroid levels under stress (and decrease them under depression), rather than the more common use of flight or fright responses (adrenergic stress) or increasing blood mass from anabolic stress (the hibernating bear syndrome). If the primary symptoms of thyroid stress (not disease) are sweating, rapid gut transit time, and nervous lethargy, Bugleweed is the preferred herbal approach. If the primary symptoms are tachycardia and palpitations, Motherwort is better. If in doubt, use both; they are complementary.”
It is a hypotensive nervine that will help headache, insomnia and vertigo.
For intermittent claudication, relaxing the smooth muscles will help improve blood flow. For this combine motherwort with cramp bark, scullcap and valerian. To slowly dissolve the arterial plaque, add linden blossom.
Work by Milkowska et al, J Ethnopharm 2002 80 identified lavandulifolioside, and found it reduced the heart rate and blood flow in rats. It induced widening of the QRS and prolonged Q-T interval. The authors suggest the compound is akin to quinidine, and has different activity than various cardiac glycosides in the herb.
This makes it a good choice for women suffering night sweats and hot flashes associated with the menopausal transition. Motherwort helps lessen the severity, frequency and duration of hot flashes, even after they have begun.
It alleviates the shortness of breath and respiratory congestion associated with menopause. Insomnia and night sweats, as well as disturbed dreams and nightmares suffered by some women, are likewise relieved.
Women who are nervous, and quick in thoughts and actions can benefit.
As well, it helps relieve muscle twitching and spasms, especially in cases of restlessness and nervous debility. It will relieve the irritation of herpes and shingle pain.
It combines well with elecampane in the treatment of tachycardia associated with symptoms of Grave’s disease.
Taken hot, motherwort tea promotes diaphoretic activity, and can be used in fevers, colds, and even chronic bronchitis, relaxing spasms and removing toxins via the skin. As a calming expectorant for bronchitis, it is similar in activity to ground ivy.
Dr. Christopher mentions that motherwort can be used “as a healing tonic in recovery from debilitating fever where other tonics are in- admissible.”
At body temperature, the herb has more direct action on the kidneys, and may be useful in both acute or chronic nephritis, water retention and edema of the lower limbs associated with kidney stagnation, cardiac weakness, and scanty urination. Motherwort appears to help clear protein and blood from the urine, including that caused by renal calculi.
Motherwort may be useful in early stages of prostate enlargement, combining well with nettle root.
Likewise, skin conditions, such as eczema respond, if taken over time at a cooler temperature, and combined with goldenrod, nettle leaf and such.
Herpes and shingle irritation may be somewhat relieved, and well as neuralgia, according to Michael Moore. Motherwort helps relieve
headaches, vertigo and peripheral circulatory deficiencies. In clinical trials, it showed impressive results for treating numbness of the limbs, dizziness, and insomnia.
Motherwort can be useful in exhaustion and cardiac stress associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, panic attacks, anxiety and bipolar disorders.
Matthew Wood reports on an unusual constitutional indication given by William LeSassier. “He associated it with a hollow, caved-in chest, odd shapes in the sternum, and scoliosis.”
Small doses of the herb help relieve gas and flatulence, as well as improve digestion and encourage regular bowel elimination.
A small amount may be useful for children on their first day to school, or when introduced to new school environment.
Motherwort taken within 10 days of a tick bite may help to prevent secondary viral infections, such as Lyme disease.
Water extracts of motherwort were tested against tick borne encephalitis virus, in vitro, and almost completely inactivated the virus. Other herbs with similar activity, in this study by Fokina et al, Voprosy Virusologii 1991 36:1, were labrador tea (R. palustre), greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), bog cranberry (V. vitis-idaea), bilberry (V. myrtillus) and black currant (Ribes nigrum).
Ursolic acid is anti-viral, and inhibits the Epstein Barr virus in vitro. Ursolic acid, in vitro, is cytotoxic to lymphatic leukemia P388 and
L-1210, human lung carcinoma A-549, KB cells, human colon HCT-8, and mammary tumour MCF-7. Li et al, World J Gastroenterology 2002 8:3.
Ursolic acid inhibits tumour production in a manner comparable to retinoic acid.
The herb possesses significant anti-oxidant activity in work by Matkowski et al, J Med Plants Res 2:11. This was confirmed by Bernatoniene et al, Acta Pol Pharm 2009 66:4 415-9. He noted the anti-oxidant benefit was higher than ginkgo biloba or hawthorn.
Motherwort could be useful remedyto protect cardiac muscles from pathogenic process, due to partial uncoupling of mitochondria, respiratory inhibition and decreased ROS production.
A review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology was published by Wojtyniak K et al, Phytother Res 2013 27:8 1115-20.
The closely related Asian Motherwort (L. artemisia) is nearly identical in action, and is widely used in China after delivery to help the uterus contract, reduce pain and stop bleeding. Studies have shown decoctions of the herb as effective as the drug ergotamine in contracting the uterus after delivery.
Modern research suggests it is similar in effect to posterior pituitary hormone.
For dysmenorrhea, retention of lochia, and placenta, the wine mix- fried herb is preferred.
For amenorrhea it combines with red peony root.
The uncooked herb is often combined with dandelion root, violet leaves, and forsythia fruit for skin inflammations and erysipelas due to heat toxins. For edema and water retention it is combined with plantain seed that is salt-processed.
Experiments on this species have found it decreases blood viscosity and reduces platelet aggregation rates. Intravenous drips of asian motherwort herb have been used in China since 1978 for treatment of coronary myocardial ischemia in several hospitals.
One recent clinical study from Shanghai looked at 100 patients with heart disease. All had symptoms of angina pectoris, palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
The patients were divided into the five Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes including 41 cases of chest yang, 22 cases of heart blood qi and yin deficiency, 9 cases of kidney yang deficiency, and 17 with lung/phlegm congestion.
The latter two divisions did not respond well to Asian Motherwort. The first two had great success with 45% showing marked improvement, 39% moderate improvement, for total of 84% efficacy.
Other studies have shown Motherwort extracts help activate blood circulation and remove blood stagnation, relieve chest pain and palpitations. Increased blood flow in the coronary artery and PAF, platelet activating factor, inhibition was noted.
Work by Pang et al, Japan J Pharmacology 2001 86:2 found an un-named compound showed vaso-constrictive activity similar to nitro-L-arginine methy-ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase.
Early work by Zou et al, Am J Chinese Med 1989 17:1-2 examined blood hyper-viscosity in 105 patients.
Given intravenously, over a 15 day period, produced clinical benefit in reduced blood mammary viscosity, fibrinogen volume, as well as increases in deformability of RBC, and enhanced anti-platelet aggregation.
It may have therapeutic possibilities with stroke. Loh et al, J Ethnopharm 2009 June 1.
Stephen Buhner mentions the use of Asian motherwort for mitochondrial protection and support. He is much better writer than me, so let us read what he has to share in his new book on Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections.
“Motherwort has been found to be strongly neuroprotective, especially in ischemia-reperfusion-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions in the brain, including the cerebral cortex. It significantly improves neurological outcomes and reduces ischemia-reperfusion impacts in the brain.
It decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain mitochondria and, importantly, reduces mitochondrial swelling and restores mitochondrial membrane potential. Motherwort decreases the expression of a protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), in the brain.
Increased Bcl-2 levels in the body have been implicated in the generation of various cancers including prostate, as well as various psychiatric disorders of the CNS and autoimmunity problems, all part of the mycoplasma symptom range. Part of the function of the protein is interfering with apoptosis, that is, cell death.”
He continues. “Motherwort decreases its expression and increases the levels of Bax. Bax is a protein, closely related to Bcl-2, that acts to increase apoptosis in cells. Bcl-2 and Bax normally exist in a modulated balance and their expression is controlled by a protein, p53. This protein is intimately involved in controlling the emergence of cancers in the body as well as protecting the genome from damage.” Reishi mushroom regulates this gateway as well.
Leonurus sibiricus contains diterpenoids which show strong inhibition of estrogen sulfotransferase comparable to meclofenamic acid. Narukawa et al, J Nat Med 2014 68:1.
In China, it is being tested experimentally, as a morning after contraceptive. It is an energetic uterine stimulant, and the fresh herb juice is often used in difficult childbirth situation. For poor blood circulation in the mother after childbirth, a cup of the fresh juice is often prescribed.
Tao et al, J Ethnopharm 122:2 found water extracts of chinese motherwort inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells through cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest. It was non-apoptotic and ER independent.
Chinwala et al, J Altern Comp Med 2003 9 identified activity via apoptosis against several cancer cell lines.
Asian Motherwort is used alone for treating acute nephritis, a derivation from the often complex combinations used in TCM. Clinical studies show the herb useful in treating acute glomerulonephritis, and edema associated with acute or chronic nephritis. Lin P S, J Trad Chin Med 1959 6:18.
In another study of acute nephritis, the fresh herb decoction was more effective than dried, but both reduced edema. Yunan J Chin Med 1984 2:48.
Isoquercitrin, isolated from L. heterophyllus, shows activity against leukemia K562 cancer cell lines. Cong et al, Zhong guo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2009 34:14.
Work by Nagasawa et al, Anticancer Research 1992 12:1 found both absorbed and un-absorbed motherwort fractions suppressed the incidence and growth of mammary tumours in mice. An earlier study by the same author found adding just 0.5% methanol extract of the herb to drinking water suppressed mammary cancers.
Siberian Motherwort is known as a heart herb, in that part of the world, and used for cardiac neurosis, epilepsy, insomnia and various menstrual conditions.
Extracts enhance insulin secretion and/or foster cell proliferation, suggesting one mechanism for the traditional use in diabetes mellitus. Schmidt S et al, J Ethnopharm 2013 150:1 85-94.
Asian Motherwort seeds, CHONG WEI ZI, are hypotensive. They are traditionally used to increase sperm count, vitality, enhance vision problems including nebula, due in part, to their large vitamin A content.
The seeds are sweet and mildly cold, and used especially for menorrhagia and continuous hemorrhage conditions.
They help break up congealed blood, astringe and tone the uterus. The seeds cool the liver, and are used in heat conditions with red, painful, swollen eyes.
Both water and alcohol extracts help decrease blood pressure, according to pharmacological studies.
The stalks are used to treat addictive itching papules, or to bathe newborns and prevent skin irritation. Another name is YI MU, meaning Mother Booster, or YI MING, meaning Brightness Booster.
HOMEOPATHY
Motherwort influences pelvic organs, allays spasms and nervous irritability, promotes secretion and reduces febrile excitement. Valuable in suppressed menses and lochia, dysentery, vomiting, frightful pain in abdomen, violent thirst, tongue dry and cracked.
Tinnitus, ringing in ears, and teeth sensitive to sugar are symptoms to observe. Burning in urethra during urination. Loss of ambition, indifference, dissatisfied with everything, needs a change.
Disconnected, need stimulation. Irritable, annoyed by needs of others, with feelings of contempt, yelling, cursing.
DOSE- Tincture and lower potencies. The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh plant above ground as it comes into flower. This was based on an involuntary proving by Clarence Bartlett in 1888. A more recent proving by Joy Lucas on 8 females and 2 males at LM1, 6c, 12c, 30c, and 200c in 2006, showed many mental and emotional patterns.
ESSENTIAL OIL
The essential oil of L. cardiaca is diuretic and relaxant, according to Bezanger-Beauquesne et al, Plantes Medicinales des Regions Temperees, 2nd Edition, Paris: Maloine 1990. It is lemon scented and may create photosensitivity or dermatitis is sensitive individuals.
It is composed of 49 compounds that comprise 84% of the oil; 26-35% germacrene D.
The essential oil of L. sibiricus contains three diterpenes with psychoactive properties.
PLANT OIL
The plant oil was used in a trial of patients with arterial hypertension, accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders. Fifty patients were treated for 28 days with 1200 mg of oil extract per day. Significant improvement was observed in 32%, moderate improvement in 48% and weak effect in 8%. The authors conclude that the oil extract may have potential in treating patients with arterial hypertension with concurrent psycho-neurological disorders. Shikov AN et al, Phytother Res 2011 25:4 540-3.
HYDROSOL
Motherwort water is distilled from all parts of the plant. It can be put into wine that is unclean and turbulent for clarifying.
Motherwort water is for sharp wit, good understanding and good memory. It helps promote good minds and amiable color, and dissipates anger. It prevents grey hair, taken both internally and applied to head. It helps trembling and palsy, mouth abscess including gum and tooth pain, and bad breath. It improves appetite and digestive power, and relieves dropsy, melancholy, comforts the heart, and thoughts of fear.
It is used for scrofula, quarternary fevers, melancholic and phlegmatic temperaments, scabs and abscesses of skin. It is also an effective spray for flies. BRUNSCHWIG
FLOWER ESSENCES
Motherwort flower essence improves the communication with all devic spirits, particularly of the water. A greater understanding of relationships to plants, animals and the land is enhanced. Finer attunements to geopathic zones are noticed.
It improves ability in landscaping, and for those who work with numbers it will be balancing. The flower essence is for accountants. PEGASUS
Motherwort essence helps heal energies that surround auto-immune illness such as Lou Gehrig’s and Parkinson’s Disease. It heals the energies surrounding brain aneurysms, scar tissue, heart murmur and muscle apathy. AVENSARO
Motherwort flower essence teaches about and heals an aspect of the psyche that deals with hardness and softness. A person needing Motherwort can also have difficulty setting boundaries in some situations, allowing themselves to be used or mistreated, especially by people they have developed some trust with.
Use Motherwort in many stages of psychotherapy where the individual is learning constructive, assertive behavior to set appropriate boundaries. DALTON
Motherwort essence is female (yin) energy and works on the intuitive crown to heart charkas, helping to eliminate negative cords and behavior taught by your mother. Perfect for those with mothering issues, the essence brings a better balance in relationships, especially for an overprotective mother. It rebalances mind and body, creating peace and understanding. It may also help with hormonal imbalances, PMS, and birthing issues. OLIVE
Motherwort flower essence works on family patterns. Helps those who don’t feel at home in their family and on the earth. For lack of warmth and love in the family, resulting in becoming hardened, rigid and feeling like a stranger on the earth.
BLOESEM
Motherwort essence helps you reconnect to your heart’s life force, and helps us remember that we are integral to the web of Life.
TREE FROG
Motherwort helps re-integrate a wobbly energy in body. It is for the mothering figure who clings rather than lets go.
ILMINSTER
SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES
In calling on the spirit of the plant, a vision appears of many spirits playing their trumpets as they await for a special being to join them. They announce her entrance with the songs of the heavens and upon their last note, a regal being appears with all her glory. She is a queen in the spirit world. She know exactly what her purpose and mission is and is ready and willing to perform her duties…When one uses the plant for medicinal purposes, know that you are receiving the energy of the miracle that was performed by this noble spirit. AVENSARO
In the first period after the influx of Leonurus sibiricus smoked, little happened apart from the fact that I got into a basic meditative state in which all material things appeared to increase in depth and importance. FELIX HASLER
Motherwort helps us to enjoy freedom in new thought. Motherwort is in the realm of communication. It allows the transmission of knowledge, of ancient wisdom, of the joining of the intuitive with the scientific. EVELYN MULDERS
PERSONALITY TRAITS
Motherwort…best fits women who are underweight and emotionally unbalanced largely because of external life stresses.
If sleep is problematic, and there is anxiety and restless, particularly in the days preceding the onset of menses, Motherwort will prove relaxing. If is specific for women with long cycles, who have breast tenderness, painful or sluggish onset of menses, and possible heart palpitations during this time of month. CHARLES W. KANE
Unlike other members of the mint family, which are usually more soft and inviting, Leonurus presents as a bit more tough and prickly, perhaps a good doctrine of signatures to encourage women to be a bit prickly if that is what it takes to get their need met before getting frazzled. DEBORAH FRANCES RN ND
This European and Asiatic plant…intermingles leaf and flower formation, drawing the inflorescence down into the region of leaf rhythm; it is divided and arranged in triangular lappets.
The plant is only faintly aromatic, with a musty and a slightly repellent scents, and the taste is very bitter. Corresponding to the nature thus expressed, the medicinal action has largely shifted from the metabolic to the rhythmic action.
Amenorrhea, dysmenorrheal, sterility and climacteric symptoms do also benefit, but the accent lies on the help this plant gives with palpitations, anxiety, dyspnoea, weak cardiac function with intermittent pulse, angina pectoris; oppression of the heart from the metabolism, Roemheld’s syndrome. WILHELM PELIKAN
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
A mother was living with her ten-year old son. She had been ill since giving birth with abdominal pain, and menstrual irregularity.
The son wanted to help her and so went to an herbalist. He bought an herb and decocted it for his mother. She took it and felt better. The son went back to herbalist and asked if he could cure his mother. He said yes, but it would cost him 500 pounds of rice.
He could not afford this, but suddenly had an idea and asked if he could pay after his mother was cured. The herbalist agreed.
At midnight, the son followed the herbalist into the mountains and watched him dig herbs. He waited for the herbalist to leave and then picked them himself.
The next day, the herbalist came to the house, but the son said he could not come up with the rice and was sorry. The herbalist left. The mother was cured by the herb and has been called “good-for-mother” ever since. HENRY LU
BOTANICA POETICA
If your heart is ticking fast
You tend to be the nervous sort
Your friends describe you as high strung
You just might need some Motherwort
Leaves and flowers, not the stem
A tonic for a nervous heart
And if menstruation is delayed
This herb can help your cycle start
Stimulates the uterus
Helps promote the circulation
Leonurus Cardiaca, a bitter mint
Take it for your palpitation
Ease a spasm or a cramp
Or if you can not sleep at night
Menopause has set you off
Motherwort might set you right.
SYLVIA CHATROUX
RECIPES
INFUSION- 20-40 grams
TINCTURE- 30-60 drops as needed. The recently dried plant is tinctured 1:5 at 45%; the fresh plant at 1:2 and 60% alcohol.
A Russian recipe is two parts fresh plant juice to three parts vodka (strength not mentioned, maybe 40%).
POWDER- dry powder, according to the European Pharmacopoeia 7th ed, should have a minimum of 0.2% flavonoids, expressed as hyperoside. Odd.
SEED DECOCTION- 4-10 grams for less than five minutes.
CONVACARD- enteric coated tablet available in Europe.
ASIAN MOTHERWORT DECOCTION FOR ACUTE NEPRHITIS- Take 250 grams of fresh herb or one half of dried and decoct in 700 ml of water down to 200 ml. Divide and drink throughout day.
CAUTION- Do not use in patients with pupil dilation.