What Is Motherwort Herb Used for and Who Should Not Take It?

Motherwort is a commercial herb used in medicine. It is known for its beneficial effects on the heart and nervous system, but you should not take it if you are pregnant, take beta-blockers, or have low blood pressure.

Motherwort is a commercial herb used in medicine. It is known for its beneficial effects on the heart and nervous system. 

Read on to learn everything about motherwort nutrition, health benefits, risks, and more.

Motherwort, a perennial herb, belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae or Labiatae. It acquired the botanical name Leonurus cardiaca due to its use in traditional medicine for treating cardiac (heart) problems. It is commonly called "lion’s ear" or "lion's tail" because its flowers are fuzzy like lion fur. 

Motherwort is native to Europe and Asia. It was brought to North America because of its medicinal benefits and is now available as a commercial herb. 

It grows in the New England region of the U.S., including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It also grows in some parts of Canada, including Ontario. Motherwort bushes grow on the edges of forests, in meadows or fields, yards, waste areas, fence lines, and roadsides. 

You can identify motherwort by looking at the following plant structures: 

Stem. Motherwort has a high, ridged, and square stem. It can be 16 to 70 inches tall. The stem is branched and may appear hairy near the angles. 

Leaves. Motherwort leaves grow in twos on opposite sides of the stem. They are hand-shaped or palmate with three or more sharply-pointed lobes. They have irregularly toothed edges with visible veins on the upper surface. 

Flowers. Motherwort flowers circle the stem and grow above small upper leaves. The flowers are tiny, tubular, hairy or fuzzy, and pinkish or pale purple. They have four petals. They bloom from May to August. As the flowers mature, they become sharp, stiff, and spiny, producing four nutlets or seeds.

Fruits. Motherwort fruits are dry and hairy. They have four sections with seeds. However, the fruits do not split open when they ripen.

L. cardiaca is a rich source of bioactive antioxidant compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids, other phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, lectins, and plant sterols. It also contains amino acids, essential oils, and tannins. Motherwort has terpenoids such as leonuride and alkaloids like leonurine, leonurinine, and stachydrine. All these plant nutrients have various medicinal benefits.

Motherwort has been used for herbal remedies in folk medicine for several years. It has calming and stress-relieving effects and regulates your hormones, nervous system, heart, and blood circulation.

Here are some potential motherwort health benefits:

Antioxidant activity

Research shows that motherwort extract is rich in flavonoids, terpenoids, and other phenolic acids. These substances have potent antioxidant activity. They destroy free radicals and harmful molecules that cause oxidative stress and damage cells. They help protect your organs and prevent chronic or long-term illnesses.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Motherwort is abundant in alkaloids like leonurine. Research shows that leonurine relieves inflammation by reducing the levels of inflammatory molecules. It regulates the immune system and promotes the production of anti-inflammatory substances, which protect your cells from damage. A study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of leonurine in rats with arthritis. Motherwort can be a potential treatment for arthritis in humans too.

Antimicrobial effects

Evidence suggests that motherwort extracts have antimicrobial effects against bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Terpenoids like ursolic acid and other polyphenols in motherwort extract inhibit bacterial growth. Motherwort extract has potential uses in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.

Uterine health effects

Traditional medicine has used motherwort as childbirth and post-pregnancy medicine. It helps with lactation or milk production and heals the uterus after labor and delivery. It also regulates hormones and blood circulation, which makes it an effective treatment for female reproductive health issues. It improves menstrual blood flow and alleviates menstrual spasms and discomfort. It also helps with fertility and thyroid problems. 

A study involving 165 women showed that motherwort prevented post-pregnancy bleeding after cesarean section. Researchers are also studying the effects of motherwort on hormonal health and conditions like breast cancer and uterine fibroids.

Heart-protective effects

For centuries, L. cardiaca has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat heart and blood pressure problems. Motherwort’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity helps keep heart cells healthy and improves heart function and circulation. Research also shows that motherwort is a cardiotonic agent, which regulates the heartbeat and rhythm and reduces blood pressure.

The bioactive agents in motherwort, such as leonurine, quercetin, hyperoside, and rutin, are responsible for heart-protective effects. They ensure the proper functioning of blood vessels by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. 

Animal studies show that leonurine reduces the formation of blockages in blood vessels. It helps prevent atherosclerosis or the build-up of fat in blood vessels and treats conditions like coronary artery disease and stroke.

Mood and sleep regulation 

In folk medicine, motherwort was a relaxant used to treat stress and anxiety. Doctors now use it as a sedative drug, which calms your nervous system and decreases the hyperactivity of your nerve cells. It also relaxes your blood vessels and restores energy in people with nervous exhaustion. 

A study showed that L. cardiaca effectively regulated mood and sleep in people with high blood pressure, anxiety, and sleep disorders. It improved anxiety and depression symptoms in a majority of the patients.

Motherwort is considered safe for consumption. It is not associated with toxicity or side effects when consumed in moderate amounts. Commercially available medicines typically have 200 to 500 milligrams of dried or powdered motherwort. You can safely consume a high dose of about 2 grams of motherwort daily.

The European Medicines Agency reports that you shouldn’t have more than 3 grams of powdered motherwort extract per day. Doses higher than 3 grams can cause adverse effects like stomach irritation, diarrhea, and uterine bleeding.

The European Medicines Agency lists motherwort as an herb to avoid during pregnancy. Motherwort is a medicine that promotes menstrual blood flow. Avoid motherwort if you’re pregnant or have a history of miscarriage. It can cause uterine bleeding and increase your risk of miscarriage.

Motherwort may affect your heart rate. Avoid having motherwort products if you’re taking heart medications, such as beta-blockers. Consult your healthcare provider before taking motherwort if you have low blood pressure.

Motherwort is usually dried or powdered to use in medicines. Some products also use motherwort extract. Motherwort is commercially available at drug stores in tinctures and capsules. You can also buy it as dried or loose-leaf tea. Buy motherwort products with at least 0.2% flavonoid content for their antioxidant health benefits.

Motherwort tea is bitter to taste and can have an unpleasant aroma. You can add honey, ginger, lemon, or other flavored ingredients to mask the bitter taste and smell.