Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Leonurus is an excellent heart tonic, and research has shown that it is able to calm palpitations, tachycardia and irregular heartbeats. It is a specific remedy for tachycardia caused by anxiety, and may be used in all heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension. Treatment should normally be continued for several months. The alkaloid leonurine produces central nervous depressant and hypotensive effects in animals, and stachydrine may also be involved. The glycosides have a short-term ability to lower blood pressure.
Leonurus is valuable in the stimulation of suppressed or delayed menstruation, and to ease dysmenorrhoea, especially where there is anxiety or tension involved. It may be used to ease false labour pains, and the infusion, taken after childbirth, will help restore the uterus and reduce the risk of post-partum bleeding. The alkaloids encourage and ease uterine contractions. It is also helpful during the menopause. The infusion or diluted tincture may be used as a douche for vaginal infections and discharges. Other indications include diarrhoea. In Germany the plant is used as an adjuvant in treatment of an overactive thyroid gland. Leonurus should be avoided in pregnancy.
Actions:
- Nervine
- Anti-spasmodic
- Emmenagogue
- Mildly hypotensive
- Cardiac tonic
- Gentle uterine stimulant
- Carminative
- Diaphoretic
- Mild anxiolytic
Uses:
- High blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Amenorrhoea
- Cardiac symptoms associated with neurosis
Components:
Alkaloids (including leonurine and stachydrene), iridoid glycoside (leonuride), iridoid glycosides (including leonurin and leonuridine), diterpenoids (including leocardin), flavonoids (including rutin, quercetin, hyperoside and apigenin), volatile oil, tannins, vitamin A
