Leonurus cardiaca
Motherwort
PARTS USED
Flowers, leaves, aerial parts in bud stage
TASTE AND TISSUE ENERGETICS
Bitter, slightly pungent, cool, dry, vital stimulant, relaxant, diffusive
TISSUES AFFECTED
Nerves, digestive glands, uterine and cardiac muscle
INTERNAL CLINICAL ACTIONS
Sedative, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, relaxant to heart muscle, diuretic, laxative, carminative
USES
Warm preparations for menstrual pain, hysterical nervousness. Cold preparations for appetite and digestion stimulation, uterine strengthening, hysteria, increases and facilitate menstruation, relieves uterine pains. For pains and palpitations of the heart, restlessness, convulsions, insomnia, menopause, gas, rheumatic complaints, premenstrual cramps, nervous palpitations, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, high blood pressure due to stress, nerve pain from herpes zoster and herpes simplex, hyperthyroidism, chronic atrial fibrillation, heart inflammation, fevers with nervousness and delirium, spinal disease.
FORMS
Tea, tincture, syrup
GROWING TIPS
An easy plant to grow. Will grow to 3-4 feet tall and wide, perennial, re-sprouts year after year. Flower stalks are pokey and sharp, use gloves when harvesting. Bees love this plant!
SAFETY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS
Pregnancy due to emmenagogue effects. Taken over a period of months for best results