MOTHERWORT
Botanical: Leonurus cardiaca Family: Labiatae (mint)  Other common names: Lion's Tail, Lion's Ear, Throw Wort, Roman Motherwort, Leonurus

As its name implies, Motherwort is a wonderful support for women's health, easing menstrual cramps, PMS and the symptoms of menopause. But it is also a great relaxant that helps to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety and nervous disorders.

History:
Motherwort is a hardy perennial that is native to Europe and central Asia and has been naturalized in the northern part of the United States and all over Europe and North Africa. It is a pungent, bitter and drying herb that grows to a height of five feet in waste places, along roads and in vineyards in no special soils, and since ancient times, the aerial parts have been (and continue to be) an important part of herbal medicine. The Greeks and Romans proclaimed the plant's sedative powers and valued it as a remedy for heart disease, palpitations, depression and as a pain reliever during childbirth. Motherwort's botanical name, Leonurus, is derived from the Latin, leo, meaning "lion," and the Greek, oura, meaning "tail," and kardiaca, meaning "heart." It is also interesting to note that the Latin, cardiacus, may be translated into "troubles of the stomach."  One of its common names, Lion's Tail, described the shaggy shape of the leaves, and the name Motherwort is an obvious reference to the medicinal applications used since ancient times for stimulating the uterus during childbirth and easing its pain. In 1652, the English herbalist, Culpepper, praised Motherwort as a cardiotonic when he wrote that there was "no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart and to strengthen it." Chinese herbalists used Motherwort for menstrual disorders, and the Japanese drank it in a tea to prolong life. Early herbals recommended the plant for calming the spirits, and the English colonists brought the herb to America for all the uses that had spread throughout Europe over the centuries. Some of the constituents in Motherwort include flavonoids, rutin, alkaloids (including stachydrine and leonurine), resin, bitter glycosides, alpha-pinene, catechin, isoquercitrin, saponin, tannin, ursolic acid, beta-carotene, essential oil and vitamins A and C.

Beneficial Uses:
Motherwort has been used for centuries as a calmative and nervine that induces passivity in the whole nervous system and alleviates depression, nervous complaints, hysteria and palpitations of the heart (particularly when they arise from hysteric causes). It is also said to be an effective painkiller that eases headaches and a sedative that helps to treat insomnia. As a tranquilizer, it is thought to be good for tremors, convulsions and delirium; and as an antispasmodic, it relieves stomach and menstrual cramps.

As a support for women's health, Motherwort is well known as an emmenagogue, an agent that promotes menstrual flow and controls its flow. It is good for other "female troubles," by encouraging and easing uterine contractions during childbirth (which facilities delivery) and as a painkiller, easing the pain of childbirth, menstrual cramping and menstrual-related headaches. Motherwort is said to balance hormones and is believed to relieve the discomforts of PMS and the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. After childbirth, the herb has been used to tone and restore uterine health and reduce the risk of postpartum bleeding.

Motherwort has been used since ancient times to "strengthen and gladden the heart." As a cardiac tonic, it is said to reduce heart palpitations. The herb is thought to strengthen the heartbeat without increasing the pulse rate and to sedate and relax the coronary arteries, resulting in increased circulation to the heart. The glycosides appear to have a short-term ability to lower blood pressure and reduce blood platelet aggregation (blood clumping). It may also treat heart disorders caused by anxiety and has been used in treating hyperthyroidism and goiter, due to nervous heart palpitations.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been using Motherwort as a specific for the liver and to treat hepatic infections, which may also result in brighter eyes and improved vision.

Motherwort is thought to be a fine stomachic, easing stomach pain and cramps and relieving gas.

**Provided itself beneficial in research that involved people, endorsed by Germany’s Commission E for Therapeutic use, Heart Disease, Hyperthyroidism ( Grave’s Disease), Irregular Heart Rhythm

*Provided itself beneficial in research that did not involve people, the study could have been done in a test tube, petri dish or animals for Therapeutic use, Cramps, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Neuroses, Raid Heart Rate, Stroke.

Contraindications:
When taking therapeutic doses of Motherwort it is not recommended if pregnant or nursing. Motherwort complements (enhances) the effects of many prescription drugs (on which you might reduce your dependents) such medications include-medication for your heart, check with your physician.


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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.