Mistletoe
Also known as- Leonurus cardiaca, lionÍs ear, lionÍs tale, throwwort.
Introduction
Motherwort is a mint with dull green, hairy leaves and an intensely bitter taste. The botanical name Leonurus refers to a fanciful resemblance of the leaves to a lionÍs tale.
Constituents
Motherwort contains four groups of
medicinally active chemicals:
´ Caffeic acid 4-rutinoside.
´ Diterpenes of the labdane type, such as leocardin, a mixture of two epimers
of 8b-acetoyx-9a, l3a, l5, l6-bisepoxy-l5-hydroyx-7-oxo- labdan-6b, l9-olide.
´ Flavonoids; rutin, quinqueloside, genkwanin, quercitin, quercetrin, isoquercetrin,
hyperoside, and apigenin and kaempferol glucosides.
´ Iridoids: leonuride and others not yet identified.
Parts Used
All the above-ground parts of the plant, gathered after flowering, dried, and cut.
Typical Preparations
Traditionally used as a tea. Frequently combined with hawthorn. May also be taken as an extract or capsule.
Summary
The traditional use of motherwort is the
treatment of racing heart (tachycardia) caused by nervous tension. Long-term
use may reduce the formation of clotting factors and also lower total
cholesterol and triglycerides.
Motherwort is also used to treat menstrual tension. It treats false labor
pains, and it is useful in the stimulation of delayed or suppressed
menstruation, especially when prolonged emotional stress is factor.
-Diaphoretic, antispasmodic, tonic, nervine, emmenagogue. Motherwort is especially valuable in female weakness and disorders (hence the name), allaying nervous irritability and inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system.
As a tonic, it acts without producing febrile excitement, and in fevers, attended with nervousness and delirium, it is extremely useful.
Old writers tell us that there is no better herb for strengthening and gladdening the heart, and that it is good against hysterical complaints, and especially for palpitations of the heart when they arise from hysteric causes, and that when made into a syrup, it will allay inward tremors, faintings, etc. There is no doubt it has proved the truth of their claims in its use as a simple tonic, not only in heart disease, neuralgia and other affections of the heart, but also in spinal disease and in recovery from fevers where other tonics are inadmissable.
Health Benefits of Motherwort:
- Heart Health
- Womans Health
- Calming Herb
- Hyperthyroidism
Precautions
Consult your physician before using this herb
if you take prescription medication for your heart. Not recommended while
pregnant.