Common Name: |
Roman Motherwort |
Other Names: |
Lion's Ear, Lion's Tail, Motherwort, Throwwort |
Botanical Name: |
Leonurus cardiaca |
Genus: |
Leonurus |
Family: |
Lamiaceae |
Native Location: |
Europe, S and C Russia |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, moist soil in sun or partial shade. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring; by division in spring or autumn (L. cardiaca). |
Harvest: |
Plants are cut when flowering, but before the seeds are set, and dried for infusions, liquid extracts, and tinctures (L. cardiaca), or in decoctions, pills, powders, and poultices (L. sibiricus). Seeds (L. sibiricus) are collected when ripe in autumn by drying the whole plant, and threshing and sifting it to remove seeds. |
Height: |
1.2m (4ft) |
Width: |
60cm (24in) |
Hardiness: |
Z4-8 |
Parts Used: |
Whole plant |
History: |
Two thousand years ago, the ancient Greeks and Romans used motherwort to treat anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness in pregnant women—hence its common name. Today pregnant women are cautioned against using motherwort because it is a uterine stimulant. Nevertheless the herb is one of the best for treating problematic symptoms associated with childbirth, menstruation, and menopause, especially when anxiety is an underlying condition. Motherwort's Latin name, cardiaca, refers to the herb's other great therapeutic use: treating heart disease. Motherwort's heart-healing properties have been known worldwide for centuries. In Russia the herb is called pustirnik serdechny, for "heart herb" and in one popular Russian folk remedy, the flowers and leaves are mixed with vodka to make a winter tonic. In China, motherwort is one of the leading hypertension (high blood pressure) remedies, and the herb is famously associated with longevity—extreme longevity. One Chinese myth claims that a young thief, banished for life to a nearly barren and unpopulated valley region, was forced to drink water every day from a pond contaminated with motherwort plants. The young criminal lived to be 300 years old! Motherwort probably won't extend your life another century, but it may make your heart stronger for this one. |
Properties: |
A very bitter, diuretic herb that acts as a circulatory and uterine stimulant, lowers blood pressure, and relaxes spasms. It is a sedative and nerve tonic and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for heart complaints (notably palpatations) and problems associated with menstruation, childbirth, and menopause, especially of nervous origin. Not given to pregnant women. To treat asthma, lack of menstruation, menopausal symptoms, flatulence, and hyperthyroidism. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of motherwort to treat poorly functioning thyroid gland and nervous heart complaints. Motherwort has antianxiety, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, blood-pressure lowering, cardiotonic, diuretic, circulatory-stimulating, and sedating properties. It is also a uterine stimulant and an emmenagogue—an herb that induces delayed menstruation. Numerous clinical studies confirm that motherwort is an excellent heart tonic. It eases the pain of angina, inhibits blood clotting, lowers blood pressure, reduces heart palpitations, and strengthens heart muscle. Motherwort is taken internally to treat anxiety, cramps, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, irregular or painful menstruation, menopausal symptoms, stress, and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). |
Preparation: |
Motherwort is available as dried herb and in capsules, tinctures, and teas. To make a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 1 cup a day, 2 tablespoons at a time. |
Typical Dose: |
A typical daily dose of motherwort is approximately 4.5 gm of the herb or 2 to 4 ml of liquid extract (1:1) taken three times daily. |
Caution: |
Do not use motherwort if you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive. If you have a blood-clotting disorder or are taking anticoagulants, consult a medical practitioner before taking motherwort. In some sensitive individuals, motherwort may cause dermatitis. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Motherwort's side effects include allergic reactions, uterine bleeding, diarrhea, and stomach irritation. Motherwort contains cardiac glycosides, which can help control irregular heartbeat, reduce the backup of blood and fluid in the body, and increase blood flow through the kidneys, helping to excrete sodium and relieve swelling in body tissues. However, a buildup of cardiac glycosides can occur, especially when the herb is combined with certain medications or other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, causing arrhythmia, abnormally slow heartbeat, heart failure, and even death. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking motherwort with these drugs may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight: |
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex) |
Celecoxib, (Celebrex) |
Ciprofloxacin, (Ciloxan, Cipro) |
Doxycycline, (Apo-Doxy, Vibramycin) |
Enalapril, (Vasotec) |
Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol) |
Fluphenazine, (Modecate, Prolixin) |
Fosinopril, (Monopril) |
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix) |
Gatifloxacin, (Tequin, Zymar) |
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide) |
Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin) |
Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin) |
Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis) |
Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol) |
Lansoprazole, (Prevacid) |
Levofloxacin, (Levaquin, Quixin) |
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril) |
Loratadine, (Alavert, Claritin) |
Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall) |
Naproxen, (Aleve, Naprosyn) |
Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor) |
Ofloxacin, (Floxin, Ocuflox) |
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec) |
Phenytoin, (Dilantin, Phenytek) |
Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox) |
Prochlorperazine, (Compazine, Compro) |
Quinapril, (Accupril) |
Risperidone, (Risperdal) |
Rofecoxib, (Vioxx) |
Tetracycline, (Novo-Tetra, Sumycin) |
Taking motherwort with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising: |
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III) |
Argatroban, (Argatroban) |
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax) |
Dalteparin, (Fragmin) |
Danaparoid, (Orgaran) |
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox) |
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra) |
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock) |
Lepirudin, (Refludan) |
Tinzaparin, (Innohep) |
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven) |
Taking motherwort with these drugs may increase the risk of bradycardia (slow heart rate): |
Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral) |
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin) |
Befunolol, (Bentos, Betaclar) |
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone) |
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta) |
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress) |
Carvedilol, (Coreg) |
Celiprolol, (Celiprolol) |
Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin) |
Esmolol, (Brevibloc) |
Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate) |
Levobetaxolol, (Betaxon) |
Levobunolol, (Betagan, Novo-Levobunolol) |
Metipranolol, (OptiPranolol) |
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor) |
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard) |
Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor) |
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol) |
Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL) |
Sotalol, (Betapace, Sorine) |
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic) |
Taking motherwort with thee drugs may interfere with absorption of the drug: |
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit) |
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat) |
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc) |
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron) |
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (FeroGrad 500, Vitelle Irospan) |
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD) |
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex) |
Taking motherwort with this drug may be harmful: |
Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)May increase the risk of excessively low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. |
|
Lab Test Alterations: |
May increase thyroid function and test results in those with hyperthyroidism. |
Disease Effects: |
May interfere with treatment for heart ailments. |
Supplement Interactions: |
Increased risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity when used with other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, such as Black Hellebore, Calotropis, and others. |
Culinary Uses: |
Flowering tops are used to flavor beer and stout. Flowers are added to soups and made into tea. |
Bibliography: |
The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 258 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.340-343 The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp.81-82 |