Motherwort

• What other names is Motherwort known by?
• What is Motherwort?
• How does Motherwort work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Motherwort.

What other names is Motherwort known by?

Agripalma, Agripaume, Agripaume Cardiaque, Cardiaire, Cardiaque, Cheneuse, Chinese Motherwort, Creneuse, Herbe Piquante, Herbe des Tonneliers, Leonuri cardiacae herba, Leonurus, Leonurus artemisia, Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus cardica, Leonurus japonicus, Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet, Lion's Ear, Lion's Tail, Mélisse Sauvage, Mother's Wort, Oreille de Lion, Patte de Sorcier, Plante Mère, Queue de Lion, Roman Motherwort, Throw-Wort, Yi Mu Cao.

What is Motherwort?

Motherwort is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Motherwort is used for heart conditions, including heart failure, irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, and heart symptoms due to anxiety. It is also used for the absence of menstrual periods, intestinal gas (flatulence), and over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Some people apply motherwort directly to the skin for itching and shingles. The seeds of two of the species (Leonurus artemisia or Leonurus heterophyllus) are used to improve eyesight and as a general tonic.

Possibly Effective for...

• Sleep. Some research suggests taking a combination of motherwort, valerian, hops, and lemon balm by mouth before bed improves sleep in alcohol abusers going through withdrawal.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Anxiety. Early research suggests that taking a motherwort tincture by mouth for 10 days can decrease anxiety.
• Menopausal symptoms. Early research suggests that taking a combination of motherwort, burdock, dong quai, licorice root, and wild yam by mouth for 12 weeks may reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
• Post-partum complications. Early research suggests that injecting motherwort into the uterus during a Cesarean section (C-section) then injecting motherwort into the muscle after the C-section reduces blood loss during surgery but increases blood loss after surgery when compared to the effects of the drug oxytocin. However, when motherwort is injected into the uterus and muscles along with oxytocin, it appears to decrease bleeding after a C-section when compared to oxytocin alone.
• Heart conditions (fast heart rate, abnormal rhythm).
• Over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
• Itching.
• Shingles.
• Intestinal gas (flatulence).
• Lack of menstrual periods.
• Other uses.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of motherwort for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).