-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Leonurus cardiaca

synonyms: motherwort, lion’s tail, lion's ear, Roman motherwort, throwwort, herzgespann, agripaume

part(s) used: leaves, tops

qualities: bitter, pungent, cool, dry

affinities:

actions: emmenagogue, laxative, nervine, sedative, antispasmodic

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy: palpitation; tachycardia; amenorrhea from colds; suppressed lochia; hysteria; chorea; nervous complaints; delirium tremens; neuralgic pains in stomach and head; nervous debility (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1126); cardiac debility; amenorrhea (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 130)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b

toxicity: 0

» caution is advised during pregnancy (Brinker, p. 118) due to its emmenogogue effect and the uterine stimulant action of its constituents stachydrine and leonurine on animal uteri (Lust, Farnsworth)

» handling of fresh leaves may cause contact dermatitis (Duke, pp. 277-278)

» essential oil may cause photosensitization (Duke, pp. 277-278)

constituents: iridoids, labdane diterpenes, flavonoids, kaempferol glycosides

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Felter, H. W.; Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.