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.