Motherwort is an herb that is considered either a weed or a garden perennial. It is native to Europe and Asia, though has naturalized in many places in the world. It's botanical name, Leonurus cardiaca, means Lion Heart(ed). It turns out, this herb is very beneficial for the heart.

I am not sure why lion is in the name, but it could refer to a couple things. Either the ability of Motherwort to support a strong courageous heart or the way that the flowering stalk resembles a lion's tail.

The name Motherwort could refer to a couple aspects of this multidimensional plant, as well. "Wort" is a word that simply means plant. It often refers to medicinal plants such as Saint John's Wort and Mugwort. It is both beneficial for women and mothers and it is a protective and fertile mother, unto itself.

If you harvest motherwort flowering tops, you will soon discover sharp protective parts that surround the base of the flower and where the seeds are held. Motherwort plants have the potential to create an abundance of seeds, which explains why it is often considered a weed and easily naturalizes in regions it is not native to.

Motherwort is a plant for mothers. It helps to relieve PMS symptoms, promote menstruation, and ease menstrual cramps. It helps the body increase the capillary bed around the uterus, increasing circulation and blood supply to that area of the body.

For this reason, people who have fibroids, endometriosis, excessive menstrual bleeding, or are pregnant may not want to use it in large amounts over a long period of time. Occasional use in low doses should be okay.

Motherwort not only eases PMS symptoms, it also eases menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, irritability, and a  racing heartbeat.

Motherwort eases anxiety and soothes the nerves.  It allows space for a deep breath, can stop an anxiety attack as it is about to happen, and helps to calm down overwhelm.

Motherwort helps maintain heart health.  It eases heart palpitations, especially when they are stress induced. It can help to lower blood pressure. It also promotes growth of the capillary bed around the heart.  This is especially helpful for women, who tend to have issues with the smaller blood vessels that feed the heart, when they have heart conditions.

Motherwort doesn’t only relieve menstrual pain but it has the ability to ease many other pains in the body, everything from low back pain to toothaches.

Motherwort is very bitter and therefore aids digestion, eases intestinal cramping, and supports liver function.

Because it is very bitter, it is not usually drunk as a tea.  Instead it tends to be taken as a tincture.  Tincture made from the fresh flowering tops of the plant in 100 proof vodka is ideal.  See below for a recipe on how to make a motherwort tincture.

Motherwort tincture is useful in relatively small doses taken as needed. Something like 5-20 drops every 5-10 minutes until symptoms are relieved is a potential way to find your personal dose.

To strengthen heart function, it can be taken daily once or twice, 10-20 drops each time.

Motherwort Tincture

Ingredients

Fresh flowering motherwort tops
100 proof vodka
an appropriate sized jar (with a lid) to match the amount of harvested herb

Directions

1. Harvest the top 1/3 of the motherwort plant in bloom. Only harvest 1/3 of tops of the plant, leaving some stems and flowers to go to seed to ensure future generations.

2. Cut the harvested herb into small pieces and fill your jar almost to the top, lightly packed.

3. Fill the jar with 100 proof vodka, making sure all of the plant material is covered with it.

4. Cover the jar with a tight lid.

5. Let it sit for 6 weeks or more, away from sunlight.

6. Strain and put some of the tincture in a dosage bottle with a dropper cap. This will allow for easy dosing.

7. Do not store tinctures for a long time in bottles with rubber dropper tops. The tincture will end up tasting like rubber. The tincture will slowly, over a long time, evaporate out through the rubber top.

8. Start with a small dose, like 5-10 drops. Then you can work up until you find the dose that works for you. It should be quickly effective, once you find your personal dose.