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Leonurus cardiaca
  • Motherwort

a perennial member of the Leonurus genus in the family Labiatae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Leonurus cardiaca has 0 edible uses listed
Leonurus cardiaca has 0 material uses listed
Leonurus cardiaca has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in susceptible people[1].

The fragrant essential oil can cause photosensitization[2].

Grazing animals can have their mouths injured by the sharp teeth of the calyces[2].

Edible uses

Notes

The fresh or dried flowers can be used as a flavouring in soups, particularly lentil or split pea[3]. They are also used as a flavouring in beer[3]. Fresh or dried flowers can be used to make a tea[3].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Material uses

A dark olive-green dye is obtained from the leaves[4][5][6].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Motherwort is especially valuable in the treatment of female weaknesses and disorders, allaying nervous irritability, inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system[7]. It is also seen as a remedy for heart palpitations, it has a strengthening effect, especially on a weak heart[8]. The antispasmodic and sedative effects promote relaxation rather than drowsiness[8].

The leaves are antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic and uterine stimulant[7][9][1][4][10][11]. They are taken internally in the treatment of heart complaints (notably palpitations) and problems associated with menstruation, childbirth and menopause, especially of nervous origin[12]. Although an infusion can be used, the taste is so bitter that the plant is usually made into a conserve or syrup[13]. An alcoholic extract is said to possess superior action to valerian (Valeriana officinalis)[14]. The plant has been found effective in the treatment of functional heart complaints due to autonomic imbalance, and also as an anti-thyroid treatment, though it needs to be taken for several months for these effects to be noticed[13]. The whole herb is harvested in August when in flower and can be dried for later use[7]. It should not be prescribed in the earlier stages of pregnancy or where periods are heavy[12][8].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of heart complaints, amenorrhoea, menopausal problems and flatulence[9].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Astringent
Birthing aid
Cardiac
Diaphoretic
Emmenagogue
Homeopathy
Nervine
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic
Women's complaints

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.

If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, or even in situ.

Division in spring or autumn[12]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Leonurus cardiaca. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant that succeeds in most soils[7], preferring one on the poor side[15].

This plant was at one time cultivated for its medicinal uses[7]. The whole plant is deliciously pungent when handled[16].

The plant often self-sows when well-sited[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Leonurus cardiaca. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Leonurus cardiaca.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Leonurus cardiaca
Genus
Leonurus
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3]
Medicinal uses
[7][8][9][1][4][10][11][12][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6]
Botanic
[18][17]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    15. ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)
    16. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    18. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Leonurus_cardiaca&oldid=78169"
    Facts about "Leonurus cardiaca"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusLeonurus +
    Has common nameMotherwort +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageTeun Spaans Teun Spaans DSCF1550 Hartgespan.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Astringent +, Birthing aid +, Cardiac +, Diaphoretic +, Emmenagogue +, Homeopathy +, Nervine +, Sedative +, Stomachic +, Tonic + and Women's complaints +
    Has primary imageTeun Spaans Teun Spaans DSCF1550 Hartgespan.JPG +
    Has search nameleonurus cardiaca + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLeonurus cardiaca +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +