Practical
Plants

Leonurus cardiaca

Motherwort

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in susceptible people[7]. The fragrant essential oil can cause photosensitization[14]. Grazing animals can have their mouths injured by the sharp teeth of the calyces[14].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fresh or dried flowers can be used as a flavouring in soups, particularly lentil or split pea[5]. They are also used as a flavouring in beer[5]. Fresh or dried flowers can be used to make a tea[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Motherwort is especially valuable in the treatment of female weaknesses and disorders, allaying nervous irritability, inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system[15]. It is also seen as a remedy for heart palpitations, it has a strengthening effect, especially on a weak heart[13]. The antispasmodic and sedative effects promote relaxation rather than drowsiness[13]. The leaves are antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic and uterine stimulant[15][18][7][16][3][8]. They are taken internally in the treatment of heart complaints (notably palpitations) and problems associated with menstruation, childbirth and menopause, especially of nervous origin[9]. Although an infusion can be used, the taste is so bitter that the plant is usually made into a conserve or syrup[11]. An alcoholic extract is said to possess superior action to valerian (Valeriana officinalis)[10]. 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[11]. The whole herb is harvested in August when in flower and can be dried for later use[15]. It should not be prescribed in the earlier stages of pregnancy or where periods are heavy[9][13]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[18]. It is used in the treatment of heart complaints, amenorrhoea, menopausal problems and flatulence[18].

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

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A dark olive-green dye is obtained from the leaves[16][17][2].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Hedge banks, waste places etc[18][4], usually on gravelly or calcareous soils[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[9]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant that succeeds in most soils[15], preferring one on the poor side[1]. This plant was at one time cultivated for its medicinal uses[15]. The whole plant is deliciously pungent when handled[12]. The plant often self-sows when well-sited[6].

References

  1. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

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  3. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. 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

    ↩

  11. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  18. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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