Motherwort is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Contents
Uses
Motherwort is used for heart conditions, including heart failure, irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, and heart symptoms due to anxiety. It is also used for the absence of menstrual periods, intestinal gas (flatulence), and over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Some people apply motherwort directly to the skin for itching and shingles. The seeds of two of the species (Leonurus artemisia or Leonurus heterophyllus) are used to improve eyesight and as a general tonic.
Benefits
Motherwort is also a mild relaxing agent and is often used by herbalists to treat such menopausal complaints as nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, and rapid heart rate. The herb may help heart conditions aggravated by nervousness. Because of its ability to improve mental outlook and reduce the effects of stress, some herbalists feel motherwort tea can help minimize the risk of postpartum depression. In such cases, motherwort combines well with linden flower and ginger tinctures.
Motherwort sometimes has been referred to as a cardiotonic. Motherwort injections recently were shown to prevent the formation of blood clots, which, of course, improves blood flow and reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other diseases. It is good for hypertension because it relaxes blood vessels and calms nerves. Motherwort also may correct heart palpitations that sometimes accompany thyroid disease and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Motherwort is useful for headache, insomnia, and vertigo. It is sometimes used to relieve asthma, bronchitis, and other lung problems, usually mixed with mullein and other lung herbs.
Cautions
- It can increase sensisivity to the UV light, making you more prone to getting sunburn
- Possible stomach irritation, cramps or diarrhea
- Uterine bleeding, breathing problems and skin irritations
Warning: Pregnant and breast-feeding women should stay away from the herbs since, it can lead to uterine contractions and cause miscarriage.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
Agripalma, Agripaume, Agripaume Cardiaque, Cardiaire, Cardiaque, Cheneuse, Chinese Motherwort, Creneuse, Herbe Piquante, Herbe des Tonneliers, Leonuri cardiacae herba, Leonurus, Leonurus artemisia, Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus cardica, Leonurus japonicus, Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet, Lion’s Ear, Lion’s Tail, Mélisse Sauvage, Mother’s Wort, Oreille de Lion, Patte de Sorcier, Plante Mère, Queue de Lion, Roman Motherwort, Throw-Wort, Yi Mu Cao
Reference
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-126-motherwort.aspx?activeingredientid=126&activeingredientname=motherwort
Health.howstuffworks, http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/motherwort-herbal-remedies.htm
HeartHealthGuide, http://www.heart-health-guide.com/motherwort.html