MOTHERWORT or ROMAN MOTHERWORT

(Leonurus cardiaca; LABIATAE)

Part used: Herb

Therapeutic action:

Emmenagogue, diaphoretic, tonic, nervine, antispasmodic, cardiac tonic, cathartic (aperient), hepatic, diuretic.

From Potter's Cyclopaedia: "Is especially valuable in female weakness and hysteria, acting as a tonic to the generative organs and allaying nervous irritability. It promotes the flow of the menses, and generally braces up the uterine membranes. It will be found useful as a simple tonic in heart diseases or weakness and in recovery from fevers when other tonics are inadmissible. It is a useful and calming tonic that strengthens the heart, allays nervous irritability, and induces quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system. And not only is its tonic action beneficial to the heart and uterine membrane, but to the gastrointestinal tract as well."

Medicinal uses:

Nervous irritability, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, uterine atony, vaginitis, heart troubles (weak and nervous heart, palpitation, endocarditis, pericarditis, intermittent pulse, etc.), spasms, fits, epilepsy, chorea (St. Vitus' dance), low fevers, influenza, colds, chills, indigestion, nerve exhaustion, hysteria, delirium tremens, fainting, neuralgia, spinal disease, pulmonary congestion, liver affections, suppressed urine, cramps, convulsions, painful joints, etc.  Motherwort vies for the honor of being the best heart tonic known. It calms and supports the heart and nerves, and may be used in large doses. Motherwort is beneficial as a healing tonic in recovery from debilitating fever where other tonics are inadmissible; it is a good diaphoretic.

Preparation:

Decoction, fluid extract, infusion, powder, solid extract, syrup, tincture.