Top 10 Motherwort Health Benefits

Motherwort is an invasive, herbaceous, and perennial plant in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Its scientific name is Leonurus cardiac, and it has several common names.

• It is called lion’s tail (Leon=lion, and ouros=tail) because the plant’s leaves resemble the tip of a lion’s tail.
• It is called Motherwort because it has been prescribed to ease the anxiety in mothers and several other issues of women for centuries.
• Cardiaca in Leonurus cardiaca refers to the plant’s reputation for centuries as an effective medicine to treat heart-related issues.
• It is also known as throw-wort, lion’s ear

Its other common names are Chinese Motherwort, Cheneuse, Cardiaire, Cardiaque, Yi Mu Cao, Oreille de Lion, Mother’s Wort, Leonuri cardiac herba, Queue de Lion, etc.

Motherwort FAQ

Where does Motherwort grow?

Motherwort is most commonly found in the US, Europe (especially the northern part), and Asia. However, it can grow almost anywhere in the world, as the plant flourishes best in bright, sunny places with humus-rich soil. It can be grown from spring or early summer seeds or propagated from the roots in autumn or late spring. Therefore, regardless of its medicinal value (or maybe because people are unaware of its benefits), in many places, it is now considered a bothersome weed.

Which part of the plant Motherwort is useful?

Motherwort has an unpleasant odor (to some extent) and a pretty bitter taste. All parts of this plant, from the stem to the stalk and leaves to the flowers, are used for making herbal powders, extracts, tinctures, and capsules. The dried parts are also used to make herbal tea.

What gives the therapeutic properties to Motherwort?

Motherwort is a vasodilator. Motherwort is also known for its hypotensive (lowering blood pressure), sedative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is an excellent source of alkaloids and flavonoids. Other key ingredients that give Motherwort its therapeutic properties are malic acid, citric acid, iridoids, oleic acid, tannins, leonurine, terpenoids, carbohydrates, choline, and fenolglykosid. It also has some bitter substances.

How to use Motherwort?

• Fresh or dried flowers enhance the soups and prepare tea, which is extremely useful in sidestepping stress and nervousness.
• You can cook the delicate shoots of Motherwort as you like.

Can men drink Motherwort tea?

Motherwort is considered a beneficial herb for many women-related problems, but men can also use it. The herb is helpful for issues related to the nervous system and heart. It is often used as a sedative and induces sleep.

Motherwort Dosage & Side Effects

Dosage of Motherwort

• Powder: 2-4 gms three times a day
• Tincture: 2 -6 ml three times a day
• Tea:
  • Preparation: ½ teaspoon of powdered Motherwort in a cup of water and bring to a boil. Simmer it for 10 min.
  • Dosage: Three times a day
  • Liquid extract: 4ml three times a day

Side effects of Motherwort – Are there any safety concerns or risk factors associated with Motherwort?

• It is better to stay away from Motherwort during pregnancy, irrespective of its ability to cure anxiety and stress during the pregnancy. It contains an alkaloid stachydrine, which may set off uterine contraction.
• A person who is experiencing blood clotting disorder and cardiac issues should avoid using Motherwort as it is a vasodilator and heart stimulant, which adversely affects their condition.
• very sensitive Persons can contract contact dermatitis through Motherwort.
• Women with heavy menstrual bleeding should avoid using Motherwort.
• Persons prone to gastric allergies should not consume Motherwort without consultation with a doctor.

Top 10 health benefit of Motherwort

1. Motherwort calms the nervous system

Motherwort has a soothing impact on the nervous system.

• The tincture of Motherwort is effective in treating uneasiness of the mind and fits of anxiety.
• It unwinds the nervous system and raises one’s mood; therefore, it could be an effective solution for stress.
• Motherwort provides relief from various annoying symptoms of nervous debility like bipolar disorder.
• Helps to alleviate muscle spasms.
• The tincture of the Motherwort has a soothing property. Therefore, one who uses substantial doses of Motherwort gets better sleep. In contrast, one who uses a small Motherwort attains an excellent energy balance (as it fights off stress and strains) if used during the day.

2. Helps to regulate the blood pressure

Motherwort is mildly diuretic (increases urine production). Diuretics help your body get rid of extra water and salt, thereby inhibiting the kidney’s capability to reabsorb sodium. This helps to relax the blood vessel walls, lowering blood pressure. However, Motherwort works better when high blood pressure is caused by excess stress and anxiety rather than other issues.

3. Helps to regulate rapid heartbeat and maintain the health of the heart

• The antispasmodic property of Motherwort makes it used for ages to regulate a rapid and irregular heartbeat chiefly caused by anxiety or stress, hypoglycemia, and hyperthyroidism.
• Motherwort prevents calcification of the artery. It cuts down the odds of blood clotting as it improves the blood flow.
• The improved blood flow also prevents health risks such as heart attacks and stroke.
• Motherwort helps to bring down the LDL or bad cholesterol level, thereby reducing the chances of a heart attack.

4. It helps to alleviate the pain during menstruation

Motherwort has a certain positive impact on the uterus. It has been used for ages to tune the uterus and regulate the painful and delayed menstrual cycles. The consumption of Motherwort, which is an emmenagogue, prompts better menstrual flow. It is used to get rid of menstrual pain, reduce menstrual cramps, and for treating the symptoms of PMS.

5. It helps during pregnancy and delivery

Motherwort has a unique effect on pregnancy. Being an emmenagogue (stimulates the menstrual bleeding), Motherwort can put the pregnancy in danger of termination. However, the alkaloid that prompts its emmenagogue property is alcohol-soluble, not water-soluble. Therefore,

• One can safely use the tea brewed with Motherwort during pregnancy to alleviate anxiety.
• Motherwort’s Diuretic property helps reduce the chances of edema and water retention during pregnancy.
• This herb brings down the cramping and anxiety during the birth process.
• It is used to aid the birthing of the placenta. Retaining the placenta after childbirth can lead to complications. Motherwort helps to expel the placenta.
• It contributes to healing the uterus and bringing the uterus back to normal after childbirth
• It is used to bring down the chances of postpartum depression.

Another point that needs some explanation at this point is the herb’s ability to both initiate birth and menstruation and to bring down the cramping and anxiety during the birth process. (Both by encouraging and inhibiting the uterine contractions) This opposite effect is mainly due to the key ingredient of Motherwort – leonurine, an alkaloid. Low concentrations of this alkaloid encourage uterine contractions, thereby facilitating menstruation. On the other hand, high concentrations of the same compound inhibit the contractions and bring the uterus back to normal after delivery.

6. Helps to boost the immunity

Motherwort contains plenty of antioxidants that help to increase immunity noticeably and thereby help to prevent infections.

7. Helps to deal with the symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid, which can detract from a person’s metabolism, nervous system, and senses. By lowering thyroid function, Motherwort helps manage several ill effects of hyperthyroidism, such as increased heart palpitations, sleeplessness, and decreased appetite.

8. Motherwort helps with menopause

Menopause, much the same as pregnancy and delivery, is another transitional point for ladies. Motherwort, when blended with other plants like bugleweed, kava kava, and black cohosh, is very effective to ease the anxiety and hot flashes that are associated with menopause.

9. Helps to soothe lung issues

Motherwort, a mild vasodilator, helps open up the lungs and, thereby, relieves lung issues like asthma and bronchitis. Better options to soothe lung issues exist, such as Mullein, Licorice Root, Eucalyptus, Ginger, and Thyme.

10. Motherwort is used to treat skin issues

Motherwort can effectively treat dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and the uncomfortable symptoms of shingles. Some people apply Motherwort directly to the affected part of the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some of the skin conditions where it helps are –

• Eczema and Dermatitis: It reduces redness, swelling, and itching.
• Acne and Skin Irritation: Due to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of Motherwort, it helps and reduces acne lesions.
• Psoriasis: The anti-inflammatory property of Motherwort helps in reducing itching and scaling.
• Skin Aging: Due to its antioxidant properties, it helps neutralize free radicals that contribute to skin aging.
• Wound Healing: In traditional medicine, Motherwort is used in wound healing thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.