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Motherwort (Leonorus cardiaca)

Relaxes the heart & vessels, but stimulates uterine contractions. Motherwort is a kidney tonic, diuretic, and diaphoretic. Hemostatic.
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia that has been naturalized in many other parts of the world. It is a tall, hairy plant with small, pink or purple flowers and large, hairy leaves.

As the botanical name Leo-norus suggests, it restores the heart to that of a lion. Motherwort was given to "restore the spirit" in someone debilited due to exhaustion, work, and stress. It is believed to work by increasing the availability of a chemical called GABA in the brain, which helps to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.

Motherwort for the Heart

Motherwort is often used to support heart health, as it is believed to have a number of cardiovascular benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, lowering blood pressure, and regulating heart rate. It is a calming heart tonic and beta blocker for cases where palpitations and arrhythmias are due to nerves and hormones, rather than heart disease.

Its mild sedative effect can help to slow down the heart rate, and is sometimes used to treat menstrual cramps and other menstrual disorders.

In addition, it is thought to have a mild blood-thinning effect, which may help to prevent blood clots and improve blood flow to the heart. It's anti-inflammatory effects are also beneficial in cardioavascular health.

Effect on the liver

Some studies have found that compounds in motherwort may help to reduce inflammation in the liver and may have antioxidant effects, which could help to protect the liver from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, motherwort has been shown to have a mild diuretic effect, which can help to increase urine production and flush toxins out of the body.

Effect on hormones

As with many mint family herbs, Motherwort may help to reduce levels of the hormone prolactin in the body. As prolactin stimulates production of breast milk and suppresses the menstrual cycle, the reduction of prolactin can improve fertility in PCOS clients with elevated prolactin / testosterone. Additionally, motherwort is thought to have a mild estrogen-like effect.

Summary

As an anti-inflammatory and sedative, motherwort reduces Vata and Pitta doshas. However, its bitter, drying effect can also reduce Kapha. Thus, motherwort is a tri-doshic herb. It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of motherwort.

Metabolic Nature of Motherwort

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other

Affinity:
Heart Circulation Blood, Reproductive Health
Family:
Lamiaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Motherwort
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Mind, Stress & Sleep:
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Dopaminergic

DOPAMINERGIC

Dopamine lifts mood, but also reduces prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and lutenizing hormone (LH).

SEE ALL 'DOPAMINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifibrotic

ANTIFIBROTIC

Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFIBROTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

SEE ALL 'CALMS-HEART' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antiplatelet

STRONG ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

,
Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Beta Adrenergic Blocker

BETA-ADRENERGIC-BLOCKER

Sedates the sympathetic nervous system. Used to calm the heart, manage abnormal heart rhythms, and reduce high blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'BETA-ADRENERGIC-BLOCKER' FOODS / HERBS

,
Cardiac Tonic

CARDIAC-TONIC

Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:
Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Kidney Tonic

KIDNEY-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the kidneys.

SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:
Lowers Thyroid

LOWERS-THYROID

Reduces thyroid function. Useful for people with hyperthyroid.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:
Antiandrogen

ANTIANDROGEN

Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement.

SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relaxant Parturient

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

Used when labor is stalled due to irregular, colicky or spasmodic contractions (hypertonic). Ensures full dilation of cervix.

SEE ALL 'RELAXANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stimulant Parturient

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

Used to induce labor when labor is stalled due to weak or ineffective contractions. Includes both stimulants and oxytocic parturients.

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Uterine Stimulant

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Causes contractions in the uterus often by stimulating production of oxytocin. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:
Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Tannins,
Rosmarinic Acid

ROSMARINIC-ACID

Inhibits autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors in the thyroid.

SEE ALL 'ROSMARINIC-ACID' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Motherwort

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Stimulant-parturient, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Uterine-stimulant, Analgesic, Estrogenic, Relaxant-parturient, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Immune-calming, Antidepressant, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Antiandrogen

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antiandrogen, Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Antiplatelet, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Lavender

    Lavender has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulant-parturient, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Vulnerary, Anxiolytic, Relaxant-parturient

    LEARN MORE

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Hemostatic, Relieves-tension, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Calms-heart, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antiplatelet, Hemostatic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Analgesic, Diuretic, Nervine, Antiandrogen, Estrogenic, Vulnerary, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Stinging Nettles

    Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

    Antiandrogen, Immune-calming, Alterative, Diuretic, Kidney-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Hemostatic, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Dopaminergic, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic

    Garlic has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Alterative, Anxiolytic, Hypotensive, Antifibrotic, Diaphoretic, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Motherwort

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant, Antifibrotic, Nervine, Antiplatelet, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Stimulant-parturient, Calms-heart, Uterine-stimulant, Estrogenic, Vessel-tonic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Black Cohosh

    Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Relaxant-parturient, Diaphoretic, Dopaminergic, Estrogenic, Analgesic, Hypotensive, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant, Antidepressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antidepressant, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Vulnerary, Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Uterine-stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Vessel-tonic, Antispasmodic, Vulnerary, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Hemostatic, Alterative, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginkgo

    Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Antidepressant, Hypotensive, Immune-calming, Nervine, Vessel-tonic, Antifibrotic, Alterative, Antiplatelet, Analgesic, Cardiac-tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Cohosh

    Blue Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulant-parturient, Anxiolytic, Uterine-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • St. John's Wort

    St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Calms-heart, Dopaminergic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Vessel-tonic, Antidepressant, Vulnerary, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hawthorne Berry & Flower

    Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Antifibrotic, Vessel-tonic, Antiplatelet, Beta-adrenergic-blocker, Calms-heart, Cardiac-tonic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cramp Bark

    Cramp Bark has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relaxant-parturient, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Estrogenic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Vervain

    Blue Vervain has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Dopaminergic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Alterative, Nervine, Antidepressant, Relaxant-parturient, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Motherwort may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Motherwort may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Motherwort. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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