Motherwort — FarmPal

The "mother's herb" a heart tonic and nervine traditionally used for anxiety, palpitations, and women's reproductive health.

Scientific Name
Leonurus cardiaca
Growing Zones
Zones 3-8

Medicinal Properties

Nervine
Cardiotonic
Antispasmodic
Emmenagogue
Hypotensive

Parts Used

Aerial parts (leaves, flowers, stems)

Traditional Uses

  • •Anxiety with heart palpitations
  • •Menstrual pain and irregularity
  • •Menopausal hot flashes
  • •Postpartum anxiety
  • •Mild hypertension
  • •Hyperthyroid support

Preparations

Tincture

Fill jar with fresh flowering tops, cover with vodka. Shake daily 4-6 weeks. This is the preferred preparation.

Dosage: 30-60 drops as needed for anxiety or palpitations. Quick-acting.

Tea

Steep 1-2 tsp dried herb in 8 oz hot water for 15 minutes. Very bitter.

Dosage: 1-3 cups daily. Add honey and lemon to offset bitterness.

Vinegar Extract

Fill jar with fresh herb, cover with apple cider vinegar. 6 weeks. For those avoiding alcohol.

Dosage: 1-2 tablespoons in water daily

Harvesting Guide

Timing: Harvest when lower flowers are open and upper buds are forming.

Method: Cut top 1/3 of plant. It will bush out and produce more flowering stems.

Drying: Best used fresh as tincture. If drying, do so quickly at 95-100°F.

⚠️ Cautions

  • •Avoid during pregnancy (uterine stimulant)
  • •May interact with heart and thyroid medications
  • •May increase menstrual bleeding
  • •Very bitter taste tincture is most palatable form
Storage
Fresh tincture 5+ years. Dried herb loses potency quickly use within 6 months.