Leonurus cardiac is an herbaceous and perennial plant that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae which includes over 3000 species of plants. It was originated from Southeastern Europe and Central Asia and got widely spread as an herbal remedy. It has got naturalized in North America and is grown in wild. Other common names for Motherwort are Lion’s Tail, Throw-Wort, Lion’s Ear, Cow Wort, Motherwort, Chinese Motherwort, Oreille de Lion, Mother’s Wort, Patte de Sorcier, Queue de Lion, Throw-Wort and Roman Motherwort.
Motherwort is a perennial plant having stout and square stems up to 3 feet high. Leaves have long petioles, lobed, toothed, lobed, and 2-3 inches long. The uppermost leaves and bracts have teeth on each side and are narrow. Flowers are sessile and nearly white having six to fifteen in a whorl. It has nearly flat upper lips, short tubes, hairy above with long and woolly hairs. Anthers have hard and shining dots. The plant bears flowers in August. Its natural habitats are in vacant fields, beside roadsides, rubbish dumps, waste ground, and other disturbed areas. The plant prefers a partly shady location and well-drained soil. The plant thrives well in humus-rich soil with bright sunny places.
Motherwort is also called a woman’s herb as it is helpful at various stages of life. This herb is used for nerve pain, menstrual cramps, and heart palpitations. It is helpful for anxiety during menopause, heart palpitations, and delayed periods. It possesses hypotensive and sedative properties. In these present days, it has been used for its diuretic properties and cardiovascular benefits. The compounds found in Motherwort provide these health properties which are leonine and alkaloids stachydrine. Other meaningful compounds are flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, tannins, and phenolic acids. Motherwort could be found in the form of supplements such as capsules, tablets, and extracts.
History
Early Greeks used Motherwort to treat anxiety in pregnant women. Its use was continued and the herb was named as motherwort or mother’s herb. The word cardiac was derived from the Greek word cardiac and Leourus was derived from the Greek Leon meaning lion and euros for tail, as the plant resembles the tail of a lion. In ancient China, Motherwort was used to improve longevity. Motherwort was first known in Europe for treating cattle diseases. The herb was introduced to North America by Colonists. In the 19th century, Eclectics approved it to promote menstruation and cure to expelling the afterbirth. As a sedative, it was used by Cherokees for nervous illness.
Plant
Motherwort is a plant growing 24-39 inches (60-100 cm) in height and bears flower during July and August. The plant has a squarish stem with short hairs and is usually purplish near nodes. Leaves are palmately lobed with long petioles and have serrated margins. Basal leaves are in wedge-shaped having three points whereas upper leaves have five. The upper surface is slightly hairy and the lower surface is greyish. It has a funnel-shaped calyx with five rigid and awned tips that bent outward. In comparison to the calyx, it has a densely villous corolla on the outside. Stamens are longer than flowers. The flower is replaced by a four-chambered schizocarp as a fruit. The plant has fibrous roots and rhizomes.
Flower
Flowers are small, bilabiate, and bright red in color which has dense false whorls in upper leaf axils. Flower occurs in leaf axils on an upper part of the plant with three-lobed bracts. Flowers have bell-shaped calyx having five lobes. An irregular corolla is long tubed with two lips, fused and measures about 0.3-0.5 inches (8-12 mm) long. The lower lip is downward curving, three-lobed and spotted with red. The upper lip is covered with white hairs and is convex. Flowers are pink to lilac having furry lower lips. It has four stamens, two short and two longer. Fruit is a nutlet in a triangular shape, 2.5-3 mm long, and is brown in color with a tuft of hair at tip.
Leaves
The plant bears erect, grooved, quadrangular, hollow stem, red to violet, and is hairy. Leaves are glabrous or pubescent and are long-petioled. Upper leaves measure about 2 inches long and ¾ inches across, oblong to ovate having a pair of coarse teeth. Middle leaves measure 3 inches long and 1½ inches across, three-lobed with a few coarse teeth. Lower leaves measure 4 inches long and 3 inches across, five-lobed, palmate and have several coarse teeth. The lower surface is light green and the upper surface is dark green. Leaves are hairless with conspicuous veins on the upper surface. Each leaf has a less wedge-shaped base.
Health Benefits of Motherwort
Leaves, flowering tops and stalks are used as medicine for various female reproductive problems. Motherwort is used in various ways as a cure for healing health problems. It is used to calm stress, anxiety and also supports heart health.
- Analgesic activity
Motherwort botanically called Leonurus cardiac belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It possesses biological activities such as hypotensive, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. The study was conducted for knowing the alcoholic extract effect of aerial parts on nociceptive response with the use of formalin, hot plate,, and tail-flick in mice. The results showed central and peripheral antinociceptive activity. Results obtained were the extract has analgesic properties which were resolved through central inhibitory and peripheral mechanisms. It provides justification for use in inflammatory disorders and pain in folk medicine. Further studies are needed for the isolation of new chemical constituents of plants and to understand the mechanism of antinociceptive activity found in the extract. (1)
- Cure for painful menstruation
This powerful herb provides quick relief to those women having painful periods with symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety, headache, hot flash, stress, dizziness, and problem in sleeping. It effectively lowers uterine muscle spasms, improves uterine tone and reducess cramps. Topically, Motherwort is used as a poultice or as infused oil that is placed on an abdomen. It is done with some types of liquid such as vinegar, alcohol, hot water, or witch hazel. Place the pack on the abdomen to provide relief from menstrual cramps.
- Overall health
Motherwort stimulates new capillary growth which nourishes the heart. A healthy heart supports the entire body including the reproductive system letting healthy and oxygenated blood. Hypertension leads to uterine cancer. It supports uterine health and proper heart that prevents the chances of uterine cancer. Symptoms for hyperthyroidism are heart palpitation which leads to infertility if not cured. Motherwort is useful in treating hyperthyroidism.
- Rapid heartbeat
For centuries, motherwort has been used for regulating rapid heartbeat. Ancient Romans and Greeks used it for treating heart palpitations. It is used as an aid for irregular or rapid heartbeat which is caused by stress or anxiety. Hyperthyroidism causes irregular heartbeat so motherwort is found to be useful for this. The study shows that the intake of a mixture of two grams of Motherwort in boiling water for three times a day helps to regulate rapid heartbeat.
- Normalize blood pressure
Motherwort is helpful for high blood pressure patients. The study was conducted on 50 people with high blood pressure and anxiety related to it. With the treatment of Motherwort, about 32% of patients have significant improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, 48% of patients have a moderate improvement in these symptoms.
- Lowers inflammation
Motherwort reduces inflammation as per the study resulted. It is determined that Motherwort reduced the release of a number of pro-inflammatory compounds. The study shows that motherwort assists in controlling these inflammatory diseases.
- Treatment for cancer
Research shows that Motherwort has anti-cancer properties. The study conducted in 2003 was tested on human cancer cells which showed that Motherwort encourages apoptosis which is a type of programmed cell death vital to stop the proliferation of cancer cells. Research is required before using Motherwort to treat or prevent cancer.
Traditional uses
- Motherwort is useful for simple tachycardia, cardiac debility, amenorrhoea, effort syndrome, and cardiac symptoms related to neurosis.
- It is used for flatulence and hyperthyroidism.
- Motherwort is used in folk medicine for climacteric symptoms, bronchial asthma, and amenorrhea.
- It is used in homeopathic treatments for flatulence, cardiac complaints and hyperthyroidism.
- Give a warm infusion for treating amenorrhoea.
- It is used for treating nervous complaints, hysteria, and pains peculiar to females, wakefulness, delirium tremens and liver affections.
- Motherwort is used to prevent uterine infection in women and uterine tonic.
- Being a mild vasodilator, it relaxes muscles.
- It helps to combat stress and promotes relaxation during pregnancy.
- In China, it is used for preventing pregnancy and regulating of menstruation.
- Motherwort helps to ease cramps, stomach gas, insomnia, menopausal problems.
- It helps to combat sleeplessness.
- The herb is used as an aid for heart palpitations.
- Use it internally for heart problems and problems related with childbirth, menstruation and menopause.
- Early Greeks used this herb for treating anxiety.
- In China, it is used for promoting longevity.
- Cherokees used it as a treatment for nervous illness.
- Motherwort possesses sedative activity, lowers muscle spasms and also reduces blood pressure.
- It is useful in treating lung problems such as asthma and bronchitis and rheumatism.
- The plant may be helpful for overactive thyroid.
- In Chinese medicine, the seeds are used to aid urination and cool body system.
- Use infusion s for menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, heart weaknesses and anxiety.
- For vaginal infections and discharges, prepare the douches from an infusion or diluted tincture.
- Seed decoctions are useful for menstrual problems.
- Use a weakened solution as eyewash for tired, sore eyes and conjunctivitis.
- Add it to the bath for itching skin and shingles.
Precautions
- Motherwort leaves causes contact dermatitis.
- The oil has lemon scent which results in photosensitization.
- Sensitive people might get allergic reaction.
- It affects menstrual cycle.
- Avoid by lactation mothers and pregnant women.
- During pregnancy, if used internally it causes bleeding and promote miscarriage.
- Not to be used with blood thinners, sedatives, blood pressure medications and thyroid medications.
- It might provoke hypothyroidism.
- It might cause side effects such as stomach irritation, diarrhea, sleepiness, uterine bleeding and allergic reactions.
- Allergic people should avoid it.
How to Eat
- Fresh or dried flowers are used to flavor soups of split tea or lentil.
- It is also used to flavor beer.
- Flower whether fresh or dried are used for preparing tea.
- Cook young shoots like other greens.
- Motherwort tea is useful for treating physical symptoms of stress and panic.
References
