Leonurus cardiaca (Lion’s tail, “for the heart”)

“There is no better herb to drive melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it and make the mind cheerful, blithe and merry” – Nicholas Culpeper

Family: Lamiaceae (mint)  

History & Growing: Motherwort is native to Asia, but naturalized in Europe and North America. It is a short-lived perennial that reaches heights of 5 feet and is generally easy to grow from seed or start. Seeds are recommended a 2 week stratification to improve germination rates. Motherwort has a reputation for spreading quite vigorously; if you plan to start a patch choose your location wisely! Mine is comfortably situated in my hardwood forest “women’s herb” bed between angelica and black cohosh. The area receives dappled sunlight, and my plant (which I purchased from my local native nursery Calendula Farms) seems quite content there. In terms of harvesting, the leaves can be plucked and used as the plant begins to flourish in the spring. For a large harvest, once the plant begins to flower the large stalks can be cut in the haircut method and hung to dry. Once the flowers and leaves are dried they can be stripped from the stalk. The window of harvesting can be small – once the plant starts to flower leaves can go from lush to brown quickly. (1, 3)

Parts Used Medicinally: Aerial portions (leaves and flowers)

Supplementation Forms:  Tincture is most popular as the tea is quite bitter.

Taste: BITTER

Energetics: Cooling, drying, relaxing

Actions:

• Anodyne
• Antispasmodic (particularly a uterine antispasmodic)
• Cardioprotective & Cardiotonic
• Bitter tonic
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Hypotensive
• Nervine relaxant/nervine sedative
• Parturient

Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon:

• Heart & Cardiovascular System
• Uterus & Female Reproductive System
• Nervous System
• Digestive System

Current Uses (& Studies/Research):

• For anxiety and nervous tension: Motherwort is a classic remedy for calming the nerves and soothing the heart. It is truly amazing how the emotional aspects of stress, tension and worry can manifest into physical symptoms, and motherwort is such a wonderful remedy for this! Motherwort combines well with herbs like tulsi, milk oats and ashwaghanda to help support soothe, nourish and support the nervous system.
• For the heart:
  • Motherwort is mildly hypotensive and nervine relaxant, making it a choice herb for those with hypertension that is related to stress! Motherwort helps sooth and relax the nervous system which, in turn support the heart. Motherwort can be beneficial for things like nervous heart palpations and/or a rapid pulse related to chronic nervous tension and stress. Whenever someone feels HOT when they’re nervous or stressed, motherwort’s cooling nervine sedative action is indicated! Motherwort helps relieve heat, which can be particularly damaging to organs like the heart.
  • Research is being done on how motherwort can help with infections related to the heart.
• For hyperthyroidism: Motherwort is often used by herbalists, in combination with lemon balm and bugleweed, for hyperthyroidism. Motherwort can help soothe anxiety, insomnia, and heat patterns and/or symptoms felt in the heart, associated with overactivity and hyperthyroidism. Support of both an experienced herbalist and endocrinologist is recommended! (3) It is safe to consume for those with hypothyroidism and may even help support some of the symptoms, too.
• For pain relief:
  • Motherwort is anodyne, and studies support it’s analgesic properties. (6) It is often used in combination with other pain-relieving herbs, such as blue vervain, meadowsweet, and/or skullcap depending on one’s pattern and purpose.
• For the female reproductive system:
  • Traditionally used as a parturient/birth aid, motherwort has long been an ally for mothers-to-be. Motherwort has been used to help with delayed labor and dispel afterbirth postpartum. It is also used to help reduce postpartum blood loss.
  • For delayed, painful, irregular or absent menses: Motherwort possesses an interesting array of qualities for a wide range of female-specific complications as a uterine stimulant and antispasmodic. Specifically, according to Sajah Popham, motherwort “stimulates blood flow and encourages the onset of menses.” For those who struggle with menstrual irregularities (examples: coming off birth control, extreme stress resulting in menstrual inconsistency), motherwort supplementation can help one’s cycle become more regular. For those who struggle with painful periods or heavy, dragging cramps with a dark or scanty flow, motherwort can help ease symptoms with its antispasmodic qualities. For those who suffer from amenorrhea motherwort, as uterine stimulant, can help one’s cycle return. Motherwort can be especially impactful if one has experienced shock or trauma, and is coping with symptoms and patterns as a result.
• For the digestive system:
  • Motherwort is VERY bitter. Bitter herbs are known to support the digestive system by stimulating the liver and gall bladder to produce more bile. Sajah Popham notes motherwort’s bitter qualities help “cool and sedate heat, a pattern that is particularly damaging to the heart and cardiovascular system.” Supplementation can help those who struggle from low appetite, nervous constipation. Rosalee de la Floret also notes this herb can be particularly helpful to intake if you experience constipation during travel. (4, 5)
• As a diuretic herb with drying properties, motherwort can also be used for edema associated with kidney insufficiency (5) due to its draining, heat reducing properties as well as for other kidney related issues like stones/gravel
• Other traditional uses include use as a fever-reducer.

Motherwort’s Superpower: Awakening your inner lion! Motherwort is a classic remedy for the heart, particularly when one has experienced acute emotional and or physical pain, shock or trauma. I’ve heard it said that motherwort is “ideal for mothers…and those in need of some mothering,”  which speaks to its emotional affinity for comforting times of hardship. If an herb could be a warm hug from your mother, it would be motherwort! Motherwort calms, strengthens and uplifts the heart (physically and emotionally), an herbal “energy anchor” that bolsters our resilience and fighting spirit.  

When to Reach for Herb & In What Form:

• Motherwort is my go-to herb whenever there is pain, trauma, nervous tension and any (non-emergency!) symptomology regarding the heart* such as nervous palpations. It is also my first choice when working with menstrual complaints, although I feel strongly this herb is not just for women.
  • *Of course, of someone is experiencing acute heart pain they should immediately go to the ER!
• Tincture form! I’ve used it stand-alone and in blends. I have found motherwort pairs well with lemon balm for digestive complaints, and blue vervain and black cohosh for perimenopause.  

Dosage & Preparation:

• 2-4 ml tincture up to 3x’s day

Contraindications:

• In pregnancy, unless labor contractions have begun
• When there is heavy bleeding

Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion:

• Venus rulership due to its relaxing affinity for the heart and female reproductive system
• Fire Element/LEO horoscope because of its prickly thorns, affinity for the heart, and (hello) it has LEO right there in its name! 😉 (4)
• Great herb for all doshas if formulated! Balancing for kapha and pitta dosha, can aggravate vata if taken long term so formulate if needed.

Citations & Recommended Reading:

1. Body Into Balance, Maria Noel Groves
2. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier
3. The Healing Garden, Juliet Blankespoor
4. Motherwort: The Lion Hearted Herb by Sajah Popham
5. Motherwort Uses and Plant Profile by Rosalee de la Floret
6. Rezaee-Asl M, Sabour M, Nikoui V, Ostadhadi S, Bakhtiarian A. The Study of Analgesic Effects of Leonurus cardiaca L. in Mice by Formalin, Tail Flick and Hot Plate Tests. Int Sch Res Notices. 2014 Sep 1;2014:687697. doi: 10.1155/2014/687697. PMID: 27433501; PMCID: PMC4897125.