Motherwort – A Hearty Herb!

Let me introduce you to a lesser known, but wonderful plant named Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca. Wort in Dutch means herb, or plant, so Motherwort is the mother of all plants.  As the specific epithet suggests (that’s the second name of the plant’s botanical name), Motherwort is often used as a tonic for the heart.  It helps to strengthen the heart muscle, promote good circulation, helps to remove arteriosclerosis, dissolve blood clots and to treat rapid heartbeat.   Motherwort has sedative effects for stress, particularly following childbirth and at menopause. Nineteenth century Herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, says it “Drives the melancholy vapors from the heart.”

This lovely plant grows easily in our Texas gardens.  Once established, it tends to reseed itself profusely. Sometimes called Lion’s tail or Lion’s ear, Motherwort should not be confused with one of our lovely fall blooming landscaping plants, Leonotis leonurus, also commonly called Lion’s Tail and Lion’s Ears.  Leonotis leonurus is a large plant with tall spikes of whorled orange flowers that resemble lion’s ears. It is medicinal as well, sometimes smoked for its euphoric effects.

Leonurus cardiaca does have two cousins that also grow well here in Texas.  They are Chinese Motherwort, Leonurus artemisia and Siberian Motherwort, Leonurus sibericus.  I have grown each of these at different times.  Motherwort likes partial or full sun, regular garden soil and a moderate amount of water.  The aerial parts, leaves and flowering tops are used for teas and tinctures. A member of the Mint family, Motherwort is also used effectively to improve digestion.  I prefer the tincture because Motherwort  tea is quite bitter by itself.  I suggest combining other herbs with Motherwort to make a more pleasurable taste to the tea.  I like it with Nettles, Red Clover and Peppermint.  I include Motherwort in my Menopause Made EZ Tincture for its sedative and cardiovascular properties.

An herb very useful for women of childbearing years and for those in peri-menopause, Motherwort acts as an emmenagogue, bringing on scanty or absent menstruation, and helps relieve water retention, PMS, stress and tension associated with painful periods. I actually prefer the use of Motherwort during Menopause as it seems to resonate with mature women and effectively assists with digestion, depression and matters of the heart.

So as you can see, this miraculous plant is not only beautiful and abundant in the garden, it has many beneficial properties.  So when you or someone you know may be having difficulties associated with heart problems particularly from nervousness and anxiety, think of adding some organically grown Motherwort leaves and flowers to their daily tea, or put a few dropperfuls of tincture in your water bottle. Every day I add Motherwort, my Calcium Rich Tincture and Red Clover to my water bottle in the morning.  Then I can be assured I’m getting my herbs!! You too can experience the blessing of driving away those melancholy vapors from the heart.