Motherwort Information

Motherwort comes from a perennial plant that is native to Europe but it is now grown throughout the Mediterranean as well as North America.

Like many medicinal herbs, its appearance is surprising. Whorls of white and pinkish flowers adorn it, and it is the aerial parts that are used. It is especially common in Great Britain.

Like many herbs, this plant or medicinal herb has been used for thousands of years even dating back to the ancient Roman and Grecian time period of the legendary Hippocrates.

In fact, the name of this herb's designation in Latin (Leonurus cardiaca) comes from the Greek word for lion's tail (Leonurus) and the Greek word for heart (cardiaca).

Incidentally, another herb that is potent especially for women is Black Cohosh. It is helpful for PMS, menstruation issues, and even helps alleviate depression.

Motherwort and PMS

This herb has powerful sedative properties as validated in scientific experiments. It pacifies the nervous system and appears to be a tonic without inducing fevers. This herb is especially helpful for women in treating the anxiety after childbirth or at menopause. This is believed to be due to the glycosides inherent in this herb.

These substances have the ability to, in a short-term manner, lower blood pressure.

Clearly, it's an aid for anxiety as well, and even helps as a heart tonic calming palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), and irregular heart beats -- heart conditions usually associated with stress or anxiety. In addition, its calming effects due undoubtedly to the glycosides, which help moderate mood swings and help relieve conditions brought on by anxiety, i.e., insomnia and restlessness.

Chinese herbalists have also used as a diuretic. It is also invaluable for treating menstrual problems, especially if the menstrual flow is limited or painful. Lastly,it also helps treat female infertility. Obviously, this herb is a powerful herb for women and is not surprising that Motherwort and PMS are joined as one among herbalists and interested females.

The chief compound that appears to be the active ingredient is the glycosides, alkaloids, diterpenoids, and various flavonoids. These powerful constituent elements make up the potent therapeutic benefits of motherwort.

Warnings & Precautions

This is a safe herb but it is to be used with judgment and skill. Before you use it in any way, we strongly suggest you consult your doctor and/or certified medical professional first. women who are pregnant and/or nursing should not use it only as administered by a professional. As motherwort is a uterine stimulant, it should NOT be used during pregnancy.

It has actually been used to assist and incite labor though by those professionally trained. (Research in China shows the motherwort herb to be "as effective as ergotamine in causing the uterus to contract after delivery." Although it is rare, contact with motherwort may cause dermatitis to "susceptible individuals."

Motherwort and PMS: What You Should Look For

Professionals suggest the best way to use it is via infusion by taking the dried herb and pouring hot water over it, thus steeping it. This activates the compounds we discussed earlier. Be advised it is bitter tasting -- adding a teaspoon of honey will improve its flavor.

Very rarely do you see this herb in a pill form, but as a tincture. Professionals recommend 1 to 4 ml, 3 times a day maximum.

Use it as a temporary relief when feeling especially unsettled or anxious. Yes, it is a fairly innocuous herb and can be used for consecutive days, but it is best to use it as a stopgap measure.

Other Similar Herbs

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I hope this page has been useful to you.

Yours in health,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com