Herbal spotlight: Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Motherwort’s name indicates its benefits.  

Motherwort refers to mother plant, suggesting it’s traditional use in women’s health, whilst the Latin cardiaca highlights its role in heart conditions especially where emotional stress underlies physical symptoms. 

Overall Motherwort is a calming and supportive herb, useful in times of overwhelm, transition and emotional intensity.

Conditions Motherwort helps with

Nervous system

Anxiety and stress-induced heart symptoms

Motherwort is a nervine meaning it calms the nervous system. It can help ease heart palpitations, racing heartbeat and restlessness related to anxiety or emotional stress.

This is due to the constituents Leonurine (a mild sedative and cardiotonic), flavonoids, and rosmarinic acid which has anti-inflammatory effects.

Cardiovascular system

Mild hypertension especially related to stress

Motherwort supports heart health, especially when blood pressure is mildly elevated due to nervous tension. Leonurine and rosmarinic acid help with vascular relaxation and anti-inflammatory effects.

Heart rhythm conditions

Useful when stress affects your heart rhythm as Leonurine helps open up blood vessels.

Reproductive system

Menstrual cramps and irregular cycles

As a uterine tonic and emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates and increases menstrual flow) Motherwort has traditionally been used to stimulate delayed menstruation, ease cramps and support reproductive balance.  This is because the Iridoids and bitter principles stimulate uterine activity and help regulate flow.

Postpartum support

After childbirth, Motherwort may help tone the uterus and soothe the nervous system, offering emotional and physical support.  Leonurine helps tone the uterus and nervine properties that calm stress and irritability.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy as it stimulates the uterus

• Heavy periods as can increase bleeding

• Low blood pressure

• If you take blood thinners as it’s a mild anticoagulant.

How to use it

It can be taken as a tincture or a capsule usually dispensed through a herbalist or it makes a lovely tea to induce relaxation, especially if combined with lemon balm.

Over to you

Have you ever had Motherwort?

What’s your favourite way to use it? I

'd love to hear in the comments.

Always check with a health professional before taking herbs