Motherwort Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Motherwort Leaves – 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:

In folk medicine, motherwort is used for asthma, to balance hormones affecting the menstrual cycle in women, and for amenorrhea. Homeopathic remedies exist for heart complaints, flatulence, and hyperthyroidism. The German Commission E has approved it for irregular heartbeats in people with thyroid disorders.

Congestive heart failure and hyperthyroidism. The Latin name for motherwort, “lion heart,” belies its centuries of use as a remedy for a weak heart. Motherwort strengthens the heartbeat but does not increase pulse rate. Instead, it sedates and relaxes the coronary arteries, resulting in increased circulation to the heart. The Complete German Commission E Monographs prescribes motherwort for irregularities of the heart caused by adrenal overstimulation and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Alkaloids in the herb, such as lionurine and stachydrine, have been reported to lower blood pressure and depress the central nervous system in laboratory animals.

Premenstrual syndrome. Test-tube studies have shown that low concentrations of lionurine, a compound found in motherwort, induced uterine contractions, but that higher concentrations inhibited contractions. The opposing effects may explain how motherwort can induce both labor and menstruation, and relax the uterus after childbirth. However, it should not be used during pregnancy. It is mildly hypnotic and acts as a sedative, so it may relieve symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Recommended Use

Motherwort is available in fluid extracts and teas. You should use solid (capsule or tablet) forms of the herb with caution, if at all; a dose of 3,000 milligrams of solid extract per day, taken in capsule or tablet form, is likely to cause diarrhea, stomach irritation, or uterine bleeding.

Because of the herb’s traditional use for uterine stimulation, motherwort should not be used by pregnant women. If you suffer from a heart disorder or take any medicine for a heart condition, consult with your health-care provider before taking this herb.

Botanical Name: Leonurus cardiaca
English: Lion’s ear, Lion’s tail, Throw wort, Common Motherwort
Also, known as: Agrimaume, agripalma, agripaume, agripoume cardiaque, äkta hjärtstilla, arslan kuyruğu, arslonkuiruk, baqlat el amhât, bonässla, bärenschweif, cardiaca, cardiaco, cardiaque, coda di leone, common motherwort, common mother-wort, dom-e-shir, echtes Herzgespann, farâsîyün el qalb, farasyun kalbi, five lobed bladderwort, herbe battudo, Herzgespann, hjärtstilla, kalomiro, leonuro, lääne-südamerohi, Löwenschwanz, melissa salvatica, motherwort, Mutterwurz, nukula, pust’rmik serdechn’i, qafi, roman motherwort, serdetshn’i, shavbalaha, sidrs matere, talpa gåştii, throw-wort, tsan-ts’ai, wolfstrapp, yabani pirasa, yi-mu-ts,ao, t’ui
Habitat: Native to Europe
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Aerial parts of the plant

General Information:
There are about ten Eurasian species of this plant, three of them having been introduced into North America from Europe. The genus is of the mint family. Motherwort is an exotic perennial plant found growing in pastures and fields, flowering, with pink or white flowers in dense auxiliary whorls, from May to September. The upper lip of the corolla is shaggy; the calyx has stiff teeth. The rigid stem grows up to 5 ft., bearing some resemblance to Horehound, but has much longer and darker leaves. The stem pieces are hairy, longitudinally striated, quadrangular, hollow, up to about 10 mm wide.
It is distinguished from all other British labiates by the leaves, which are deeply and palmately cut into five lobes, or three-pointed segments, and by the prickly calyx-teeth of its flowers. When not in flower, it resembles Mugwort in habit.
The name of the genus, Leonurus, in Greek signifies a Lion’s tail, from some fancied resemblance in the plant.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.