Also Known As:
Leonuri cardiacae herba, Mother's Wort.
Scientific Name:
Leonurus cardiaca.
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae.
People Use This For:
Motherwort is used for heart symptoms of anxiety, cardiac insufficiency, fast heart rate or other irregular heart beats, absence of periods, flatulence, and overactive thyroid.
Safety:
No connerns regarding safety when used orally and appropriately.80
Pregnancy and Lactation: Refer to a Medical Herbalist.
Effectiveness:
There is insufficient scientific information available to comment on the effectiveness of motherwort.
Mechanism of Action:
The applicable parts of motherwort are the above ground parts. Motherwort has sedative,81,82 reduces the over-excitability of the heart.
Adverse Reactions:
None reported.
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements:
None known.
Interactions with Foods:
None known.
Interactions with Lab Tests:
THYROID FUNCTION: Motherwort might improve thyroid function and thyroid function test results in patients with thyroid overactivity.83 Refer to Medical Herbalist.
Dosage/Administration:
Dr Clare’s Blends: 1 gm per day.
Oral: 2-4gms/day (British Herbak Pharmacopeia)1983).
Specific References: MOTHERWORT
81. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
80. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
82. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
83. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.