Nature's Remedies by Jean Willoughby

Author:Jean Willoughby [Willoughby, Jean and Shelly, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Published: 2016-04-10T04:00:00+00:00

MOTHERWORT

BOTANICAL NAME: Leonurus cardiaca

ORIGINS: Central Asia and Southeastern Europe

Motherwort is a flowering herb in the mint family that has spread throughout the world largely thanks to its use in herbal medicine. It takes its common name from its reputation as an herb for expectant mothers. In ancient Greece, pregnant women are said to have consumed motherwort to relieve uneasiness and reduce tension. Today motherwort is valued for its ability to promote healthy menstrual cycles. A mild emmenagogue—which is an herb that encourages blood flow in the pelvic area—it can gently prompt uterine contractions and help bring on delayed menses. Its species name, cardiaca, refers to its benefits beyond hormonal health as a treatment for ailments of the heart. As the seventeenth-century English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote of motherwort, “There is no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart and make a merry, cheerful soul.” In colonial America, Native Americans and Europeans used motherwort to brew a tea for calming nervous tension. Motherwort is often used today for reducing stress-related hypertension and treating heart palpitations. The aerial parts of the plant contain leonurine, a compound that appears to act as a mild vasodilator, which helps lower blood pressure. Motherwort also has nervine and antispasmodic properties, contributing to its ability to relieve stress and reduce tension.

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