Motherwort or the herb with a lion heart

Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca, is a member of the mint family that is unfussy in my garden. This is such an easy plant to grow that it has escaped into the wild in some parts of the US, becoming a pest. It is an Eurasian native. My dear friend gave me some plants a few years ago, so I treasure them.

I love the translation of the name, which means 'lion heart' because I think that sums up motherhood in many ways. It also tells us that this is a herb that supports a woman's reproductive system and the heart. As this herb is smooth and easy to harvest before it flowers, this is the best time to do it. After this, it has prickly flowers and is very tough.

In clinic, I mainly use this in tincture form, in a herbal blend as this is not a herb that is delicious on it's own as a tea (too bitter).

For the heart: this is indicated for palpitations and arrhythmias due to being antispasmodic and a cardiotonic. It also has hypotensive actions meaning it is indicated for high blood pressure.

For women's hormones: it is soothing (antispasmodic) when there is cramping and soothes the nerves (nervine). It is best to avoid when women have heavy bleeding as it may increase it.

For the digestion: it is a bitter, which means it may stimulate stomach acid and the liver and help absorption of iron.

This is a herb to be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca, in my garden