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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Leonurus cardiaca''
| image = Leonurus cardiaca 001.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Leonurus]]''
| species = '''''L. cardiaca'''''
| binomial = ''Leonurus cardiaca''
| binomial_authority = [[L.]]
}}
'''Motherwort''' (''Leonurus cardiaca'') is a flowering plant in the family [[Lamiaceae]]. Other common names include ''Throw-wort'', ''Lion's Ear'', and ''Lion's Tail''. The latter two are also common names for [[Leonotis leonurus]]. Originally from [[Central Asia]] it is now found worldwide, spread largely due to its use as a [[herbalism|herbal remedy]].

''L. cardiaca'', a member of the mint family, has a square stem and opposite leaves. The basal leaves are wedge shaped with 3 points while the upper leaves are more latticed. Flowers appear in leaf axils on the upper part of the plant and it blooms between June - August. The flowers are small, pink to lilac in colour often with furry lower lips. The plant grows to about 60-100 cm in height. It can be found along roadsides and in vacant fields and other waste areas.

==Medicinal uses==
Motherwort has a long history of medicinal use. The plant, and its use as a medicinal herb, originated in Central Europe and Asia, although it has long been in use in the North America as well. It is very useful for a variety of ills, and is very nourishing, much like stinging nettle or dandelion. The herb contains the [[alkaloid]] [[leonurine]], which is a mild [[vasodilator]] and has a relaxing effect on [[smooth muscle]]s. For this reason, it has long been used as a [[heart|cardiac]] [[tonic]], nervine, and an [[emmenagogue]].

Among other biochemical constituents, it also contains bitter [[iridoid]] [[glycoside]]s, [[diterpinoid]]s, [[flavonoid]]s (including [[rutin]] and [[quercetin]]), [[tannin]]s, volatile oils, and [[vitamin A]]. [[Midwifery|Midwives]] use it for a variety of purposes, including [[uterus|uterine]] tonic and prevention of uterine infection. [[Susun Weed]] recommends it for combating stress and promoting relaxation during [[pregnancy]] and says that, given during [[labour (childbirth)|labor]], it prevents [[hemorrhage]].

[[Michael Tierra]], on the other hand, contraindicates it for internal use during pregnancy, as it does have the tendency to cause bleeding and may induce miscarriage. It was historically used in [[China]] to prevent pregnancy and to regulate [[menstrual cycle|menstruation]]. Motherwort is also used to ease [[stomach]] gas and [[cramp]]ing, [[menopause|menopausal]] problems, and [[insomnia]], although Susun Weed warns it may be habit forming if used regularly to combat sleeplessness. According to Tierra, the [[traditional Chinese medicine]] energy and flavors are bitter, spicy, and slightly cold, and the systems affected are the [[pericardium]] and [[liver]]. The fresh or dried leaves are used, and the recommended dosage is the standard infusion of one [[ounce]] herb to one pint boiling water or 10-30 drops of tincture three times daily.

==References==
* {{cite book | author=[[Neltje Blanchan|Blanchan, Neltje]] | title=[[Wild Flowers Worth Knowing]] | year=[[2005]] | publisher=[[Project Gutenberg|Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation]]}}
* Lust, John ''The Herb Book'' (1974) New York, New York: Bantam.
* Moore, Michael ''Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West'' (1979) Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Museum of New Mexico Press
* Tierra, Michael ''The Way of Herbs'' (1980) New York, New York: Pocket Books.
* Weed, Susun S. ''Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year'' (1986) Woodstock, New York.

[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Entheogens]]

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Motherwort - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 04:17, 26 October 2007