MOTHERWORT : LEONURUS CARDIACA
I invite you to my Hearth where the candles burn bright, to introduce you to one of my most trusted
herbal companions. I seek Her in the fullness of summer, where the buzzing bees draw me closer to
Her pink whorling flowers; having tinctured Her crystalline essence in alcohol, I journey deep with Her
all year round.
Beloved MotherWort, Leonurus cardiaca.
Motherwort (wort = herb), Yi Mu Cao ("Benefit Mother Herb" in TCM), is said to be originally from
Europe and Asia. She was brought to Turtle Island where She naturalized. She is a True Mother's herb,
assisting women throughout all cycles of life, stimulating moon flow, aiding childbirth, cooling and
soothing emotional fires, she is revered around the world for her gentle yet powerful nature.
Motherwort's deep gift is Her action on the Heart. Affectionately called Heartwort, Heart of Mother, and Motherwomb, Her Greek name cardiaca means 'Heart'. She is one of the best known Heart tonics. Through the doctrine of signatures, Matthew Wood has suggested the rhythmical and even distribution of Her flowers along the stem reflect Her ability to influence the Heart's pulse. He suggests Her 'goose tongue' leaves are a signature for rhythm, for heart palpitations. "Leon" "ourus" (Lion's - Tail) is said to represent Her long smooth stem with spiky seed clusters. I feel, and choose to believe, there is a deeper conversation occuring, that perhaps Leonorus cardiaca is embued with feline energetics (of puma, jaguar, lynx, lion, of intestellar connections and astral beings), reflecting a powerfully protective and infinitely wise feline presence.
Motherwort is Bitter. Very bitter. In TCM Bitter is the taste associated with our Heart. It's as though Bitter sings directly to our Heart, coaxing it to soften and expand. Motherwort calms and supports the nerves, soothing anxiety, assisting in sleep, and calms a rapid fluttering pulse from nervousness. She is said to help soothe broken Hearts. I've endured many heart aches and heart breaks, and Motherwort has been my constant and faithful devoted companion through it All.
During the seasons I look for Her, as She looks for me. In the spring Her tender bright green leaves eagerly reach for the sun. In the Summer I delight in Her Beauty, as she ripens Her delicate pink flowers, builds and concentrates Her Medicine. On my long winter walks I find Her dried out exhausted body far above the snow, graceful stems with empty spiky clusters, Her seed songs long gifted to the wind. She is a Perennial (down to Zone 3), embodying strength and resilience, and as a member of the Mint (Labiatae / Lamiaceae) clan, once She is established, She readily self-seeds, ensuring Her place in your medicine apothecary.
My favorite way to enjoy Her is in a strong Peppermint infusion with Motherwort tincture and honey. Dissolving into Her sweetness is like curling up onto Ma's wide lap, soothed by Her pervasive warmth, lulled by the low rumble of Her purr.
Blessed Leonurus cardiaca.
AS MEDICINE:
Taste
Acrid, bitter, slightly cold
Constituents
Essential oil
Alkaloids (stachydrine, leonurinine) mild vasodilating effect
Glycosides (leonurine, leonuridin)
Terpenes (iridoids, diterpenes, Ursolic Acid)
Flavinoids
Diterpenes,
Phenylpropanoids (lavnadulifolioside)
Caffeic acid
Tannins
Vitamin A
Therapeutic Actions:
Emmenagogue
Astringent
Carminative
Cardiac Tonic
Diuretic
Anti-Spasmodic
Anti-Rheumatic
Nervine
Hypotensive
Digestive Bitter
Organs Affected:
Heart, Liver
Women
Stimulates flow, use with delayed menses, and to ease cramps, tension, and spasms due to energy, emotion, and hormone fluctuations.
Used in early labor to encourage labor and ease labor pains.
Michael Moore discourages use after childbirth (to expel afterbirth or relax) as it is said it may encourage uterine bleeding.
Use for menopausal symptoms like heart palpitations, nervousness, hot flashes and anxiety.
Heart
Mild hypotensive herb, can help decrease hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure). Anxiety, sleep disorders.
"There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it,
and make a merry, chearful blithe soul than this herb" Nicholas Culpeper.
German Commission E. approves use for nervous cardiac disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
Has an influence on hyperthyroidism, often associated with cardiac palpitation and nervousness.
For treatment, combine Motherwort with Lemon balm and Bugle weed.
Helps to balance hyperthyroid without suppressing it.
Other bitter mints, such as lycopus and scutellaria have similar properties; all three can be used to treat hyperthyroidism.
German Commission E approves use as adjuvant for thyroid hyperfunction.
Harvest
Harvest in full flower, when the bottom flowers have hardened into sharp spikes jeweled with seeds.
Active chemical components are highest concentrations when in bloom.
Tincture while very fresh.
Dosages
MW suggests 1-3 drops, 1-3 x / day.
It can be used as needed, with no reported adverse side effects.
I enjoy higher dosages of Leonurus, often several Tbsp of tincture in a strong decoction of Peppermint tea and honey.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
Contains alkaloid stachydrine, ability to stimulate uterine contractions and induce labor.
Ritual Uses (via Susan Weed):
Motherwort is Herb of Venus and Leo. (Of Love and of the Lion / Sun). It is a strengthening herb, giving a person a
sense of purpose, and joy in the completion of the work needed. It brings an attitude that all will succeed and allows
for the growth of inner trust, knowing that all will work towards a good and positive conclusion.
It is also used as an herb of protection.
Resources and Gratitude:
Matthew Wood
Susan Weed
http://www.wildnesswithinliving.com/blog/2016/7/22/motherwort
https://www.anniesremedy.com/leonurus-caridica-motherwort.php
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Motherwort.htm
http://chineseherbinfo.com/yi-mu-cao-leonurus-chinese-motherwort-benefit-mother-herb/
Medical Disclaimer
It is not my intent to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
I invite you to my Hearth where the candles burn bright, to introduce you to one of my most trusted
herbal companions. I seek Her in the fullness of summer, where the buzzing bees draw me closer to
Her pink whorling flowers; having tinctured Her crystalline essence in alcohol, I journey deep with Her
all year round.
Beloved MotherWort, Leonurus cardiaca.
Motherwort (wort = herb), Yi Mu Cao ("Benefit Mother Herb" in TCM), is said to be originally from
Europe and Asia. She was brought to Turtle Island where She naturalized. She is a True Mother's herb,
assisting women throughout all cycles of life, stimulating moon flow, aiding childbirth, cooling and
soothing emotional fires, she is revered around the world for her gentle yet powerful nature.
Motherwort's deep gift is Her action on the Heart. Affectionately called Heartwort, Heart of Mother, and Motherwomb, Her Greek name cardiaca means 'Heart'. She is one of the best known Heart tonics. Through the doctrine of signatures, Matthew Wood has suggested the rhythmical and even distribution of Her flowers along the stem reflect Her ability to influence the Heart's pulse. He suggests Her 'goose tongue' leaves are a signature for rhythm, for heart palpitations. "Leon" "ourus" (Lion's - Tail) is said to represent Her long smooth stem with spiky seed clusters. I feel, and choose to believe, there is a deeper conversation occuring, that perhaps Leonorus cardiaca is embued with feline energetics (of puma, jaguar, lynx, lion, of intestellar connections and astral beings), reflecting a powerfully protective and infinitely wise feline presence.
Motherwort is Bitter. Very bitter. In TCM Bitter is the taste associated with our Heart. It's as though Bitter sings directly to our Heart, coaxing it to soften and expand. Motherwort calms and supports the nerves, soothing anxiety, assisting in sleep, and calms a rapid fluttering pulse from nervousness. She is said to help soothe broken Hearts. I've endured many heart aches and heart breaks, and Motherwort has been my constant and faithful devoted companion through it All.
During the seasons I look for Her, as She looks for me. In the spring Her tender bright green leaves eagerly reach for the sun. In the Summer I delight in Her Beauty, as she ripens Her delicate pink flowers, builds and concentrates Her Medicine. On my long winter walks I find Her dried out exhausted body far above the snow, graceful stems with empty spiky clusters, Her seed songs long gifted to the wind. She is a Perennial (down to Zone 3), embodying strength and resilience, and as a member of the Mint (Labiatae / Lamiaceae) clan, once She is established, She readily self-seeds, ensuring Her place in your medicine apothecary.
My favorite way to enjoy Her is in a strong Peppermint infusion with Motherwort tincture and honey. Dissolving into Her sweetness is like curling up onto Ma's wide lap, soothed by Her pervasive warmth, lulled by the low rumble of Her purr.
Blessed Leonurus cardiaca.
AS MEDICINE:
Taste
Acrid, bitter, slightly cold
Constituents
Essential oil
Alkaloids (stachydrine, leonurinine) mild vasodilating effect
Glycosides (leonurine, leonuridin)
Terpenes (iridoids, diterpenes, Ursolic Acid)
Flavinoids
Diterpenes,
Phenylpropanoids (lavnadulifolioside)
Caffeic acid
Tannins
Vitamin A
Therapeutic Actions:
Emmenagogue
Astringent
Carminative
Cardiac Tonic
Diuretic
Anti-Spasmodic
Anti-Rheumatic
Nervine
Hypotensive
Digestive Bitter
Organs Affected:
Heart, Liver
Women
Stimulates flow, use with delayed menses, and to ease cramps, tension, and spasms due to energy, emotion, and hormone fluctuations.
Used in early labor to encourage labor and ease labor pains.
Michael Moore discourages use after childbirth (to expel afterbirth or relax) as it is said it may encourage uterine bleeding.
Use for menopausal symptoms like heart palpitations, nervousness, hot flashes and anxiety.
Heart
Mild hypotensive herb, can help decrease hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure). Anxiety, sleep disorders.
"There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it,
and make a merry, chearful blithe soul than this herb" Nicholas Culpeper.
German Commission E. approves use for nervous cardiac disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
Has an influence on hyperthyroidism, often associated with cardiac palpitation and nervousness.
For treatment, combine Motherwort with Lemon balm and Bugle weed.
Helps to balance hyperthyroid without suppressing it.
Other bitter mints, such as lycopus and scutellaria have similar properties; all three can be used to treat hyperthyroidism.
German Commission E approves use as adjuvant for thyroid hyperfunction.
Harvest
Harvest in full flower, when the bottom flowers have hardened into sharp spikes jeweled with seeds.
Active chemical components are highest concentrations when in bloom.
Tincture while very fresh.
Dosages
MW suggests 1-3 drops, 1-3 x / day.
It can be used as needed, with no reported adverse side effects.
I enjoy higher dosages of Leonurus, often several Tbsp of tincture in a strong decoction of Peppermint tea and honey.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
Contains alkaloid stachydrine, ability to stimulate uterine contractions and induce labor.
Ritual Uses (via Susan Weed):
Motherwort is Herb of Venus and Leo. (Of Love and of the Lion / Sun). It is a strengthening herb, giving a person a
sense of purpose, and joy in the completion of the work needed. It brings an attitude that all will succeed and allows
for the growth of inner trust, knowing that all will work towards a good and positive conclusion.
It is also used as an herb of protection.
Resources and Gratitude:
Matthew Wood
Susan Weed
http://www.wildnesswithinliving.com/blog/2016/7/22/motherwort
https://www.anniesremedy.com/leonurus-caridica-motherwort.php
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Motherwort.htm
http://chineseherbinfo.com/yi-mu-cao-leonurus-chinese-motherwort-benefit-mother-herb/
Medical Disclaimer
It is not my intent to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
