Motherwort Plant: Health Benefits Explored

The motherwort plant has been grown in monasteries’ gardens since the 15th century and was highly appreciated all over Europe. It was regarded even as a universal healing plant. Later, this was the reason it became discredited. Though its role in phytotherapy is not outstanding, it is still a helpful plant.

Healing Properties and Warning

The entire plant contains an essential oil, a bitter component (leonurine), an alkaloid (leonurinine), glycosides, and tannins. It has the following properties:

1. Cardiotonic and sedative: Strengthens the heart muscle and calms nervous tachycardia and palpitations. It is recommended for people suffering from hypertension and angina pectoris.
2. Emmenagogue: The alkaloid it contains stimulates contractions of the uterus and promotes menstrual flow. It is used in dysmenorrhea (menstruation disorders).
3. Astringent due to its content of tannin and carminative (eliminates gases and intestinal flatulence).
4. Cicatrizant: Motherwort infusions are used to clean and cure wounds.

Motherwort is mainly used for stomach gas, cramps, and nervous heart problems. Combine equal parts motherwort, calendula, and cramp bark for best results. It works well in treating the pain associated with childbirth, suppressed menstruation, amenorrhea, and other female problems. Also, it can be combined with hawthorn berries for an excellent antispasmodic and heart tonic.

The herb can prevent neuralgia, pericarditis, palpitations, and heart attacks. It is beneficial for congestion of respiratory passages, goiter, and shortness of breath. The herb can also be employed as a remedy for vaginitis, menopausal symptoms, headache, thyroid, suppressed urine, rheumatism, fevers, vertigo, and insomnia. Generally, it possesses properties like valerian and can be used like it.

In Germany, herb extracts have been approved as supportive treatments for nervous heart conditions and hyperthyroidism. The leaf constituent leonurine is a uterine tonic. Laboratory and clinical reports document that the Chinese species have been used similarly.

WARNING: Contact with motherwort may cause dermatitis in certain people.

Motherwort Plant Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Lion’s ear, lion’s tail, Roman Motherwort, throwwort.
2. French: Agripaume, cardiaque.
3. Spanish: Cola de leon, agripalma.
4. Environment: Not typical in Europe and North America.
5. Description: This vigorous plant of the Labiatae family grows from 60 to 120 cm high. It has large, petiolate, palm-shaped leaves with pink or purple flowers.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: Flower clusters and fresh leaves.

How to use Motherwort

1. Infusion
2. Fluid extract
3. Washing wounds with the same injection is employed for internal use.

Infusion: Steep for five to fifteen minutes and take six ounces three to four times daily. Tincture: Take thirty to sixty drops ½ to one teaspoon three to four times daily. Fluid Extract: Take ½ to one teaspoon three to four times daily. Powder: Take five to ten #0 capsules (30 to 60 grains) three to four times daily.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 224. Print. [motherwort plant]
2. Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 168, 169.