Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is the herb of longevity to the Japanese, who make it into a wine. Chinese and the Russian herbalists also favor motherwort.
I use motherwort tincture, made from her fresh flowering tops* tinctured in 100 proof vodka. The finished product smells vaguely like chocolate and tastes a lot better than the fresh or dried plant. Motherwort is a bitter mint, not an aromatic one.
Freaked out? Upset? Take a dropperful of motherwort! Distressed about something that might happen? Or might have happened? Take motherwort! Women with the premenstrual crazies take motherwort. Frenzied children take motherwort. Menopausally mad women take motherwort. Even lovers take motherwort. Spend some time in her lap and you'll come to cherish motherwort's calming ways too.
Motherwort is fast relief for those with menstrual cramps. A 5-10 drop dose, taken at the first twinge of pain and repeated every 10-15 minutes, or as needed, will do the trick for most women. Of course, a cup of ginger tea or a catnip joint will work too. What makes motherwort special is her tonic effect in addition to the pain relief. Motherwort tones the uterine muscle and eventually--usually within four months--eliminates those menstrual cramps for good.
Motherwort is a favorite ally of menopausal women too. A dropperful stops hot flashes, relieves rapid heartbeat, soothes frayed nerves, and helps the tears flow. A dose of 10-15 drops taken just before bed can help ensure deeper sleep. Daily use of 15 drops several times a day can improve vaginal elasticity and bolster libido.
In addition to its health-promoting effects on the uterus, motherwort heals the heart. It is, in fact, one of the world's best heart tonics. Its name means "lion hearted" or "strong hearted." Daily use helps new blood vessels grow to the heart. I call it "a bypass in a bottle." (Yes, motherwort increases vascularization to the uterus as well, so daily--but not occasional--use is contra-indicated for women with endometriosis or fibroids.) A dose of 10-20 drops, taken several times a day, can lower blood pressure, improve heart action, and strengthen electrical activity in the heart.
Comments