Last reviewed 20/04/2026
Sustainability status
At risk from overharvesting and habitat loss. Read more in our sustainability guide.
Avoid in pregnancy and lactation
Herbs are generally best-avoided in pregnancy, unless working with them under the guidance of a medical herbalist. However, some herbs pose a risk to pregnancy as they are potentially: toxic to the mother, toxic to the neonate, teratogenic (risk developmental malformation), may increase miscarriage risk, or could cause foetal distress leading to miscarriage or premature birth. Herbs with teratogenic, emmenagogue, or stimulant laxative actions are all contraindicated in pregnancy. Furthermore, herbs containing volatile oils, thujone, apiol, phyto-oestrogens also should be avoided.
During lactation, there is the possibility for transfer of plant compounds through the breast milk, which can have an effect (detrimental or beneficial) on the infant.
Please read the Safety section in this monograph.
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Herb overview
Safety
Generally considered safe. Best avoided in early pregnancy, and only used during the final few weeks.
Sustainability
Status: Lower risk
Key constituents
Alkaloids: Leonurine and stachydrine
Iridoid glycosides
Flavonoids
Ursolic acidQuality
Europe and China
Wild harvested and cultivated
Adulteration with other Leonurus species and heavy metal contamination risksKey actions
Nervine
Cardiotonic
Uterine tonic
EmmenagogueKey indications
Anxiety
Palpitations
Tachycardia
Irregular menstruationKey energetics
Cool
Dry
Relaxing
BitterPreperation and dosage
Plant part
6–12 g/per day
Tincture: 1:2, 2–3.5 ml per day
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How does it feel?
The immediate impression upon tasting motherwort tea is its bitterness. This taste is quickly followed by a modest, sharp, acrid quality. However, these tastes do not linger for long and leave a residual aromatic flavour in the mouth.
These qualities are a reminder that motherwort acts on bitter receptors and are suggestive of its impact on digestive and liver function.
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Into the heart of motherwort
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) The common and botanical name of this plant are key indicators of its modern and traditional usage. Motherwort (‘mother plant’) suggests its traditional usage to support female health, particularly menstrual and uterine based conditions affecting fertility and conception. The Latin specific cardiaca (and the German common name Herzgespann) is indicative of the plant’s affinity for treating heart related disorders, particularly where the condition may be exacerbated by emotional stress.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), motherwort is considered a herb that helps to circulate the uterus qi. These qualities make motherwort a choice herb for regulating the menstrual cycle and addressing conditions in the female reproductive system. It is also used to circulate heart qi and to dispel wind heat (4).
Energetically, motherwort is considered cooling and dry with bitter, aromatic and acrid qualities (4). It is due to its acrid action that it works well in cases of constricted or atrophic tissue states. Acrid herbs are often used for constrictive tissue states because the bitter compounds responsible for the acrid qualities trigger reflexes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by the vagus nerve.This affects the epithelial tissues that line the visceral organs associated with ANS function (cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, nervous and urinary) (5).
Motherwort has a specific affinity for the heart. This refers to both the emotional and physical aspect of the heart. Motherwort is indicated in cases presenting with a picture of cardiac ‘feebleness’, where there may be symptoms of palpitations, high blood pressure and a weak yet rapid heart rate (5).
Matthew Wood describes motherwort as specific in emotional cases of ‘excessive emotionality’. He describes that patient as red faced (but not with anger) with staring eyes or a nervous expression (5).
In more modern medicine, its uses extend to hyperthyroidism (for the cardiac symptoms), palpitations, nervous tachycardia, secondary amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, ovarian pain, anxiety, neuralgia, and can be useful for menopausal hot flushes and a general menopausal aid (3,4).
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What practitioners say
Cardiovascular systemMotherwort is useful in any heart condition exacerbated by stress. It is specifically indicated in palpitations, tachycardia and angina and when the heart is under high levels of emotional distress, for example during a period of grieving or heartbreak (7,10). As a nervine as well, motherwort can be applied to support stress induced arrhythmias, nervous cardiac symptoms as well as menopausal palpitations (6).
It may be used to help treat high blood pressure due to its tonic action on the cardiovascular system. As a cardiotonic, motherwort directly supports the heart muscles that produces a regulating and strengthening effect on cardiac function (7,10). The spasmolytic action and mild negative chronotopic effect help to reduce excessive heart rate, whilst the nervine action helps to downregulate the nervous response which indicates motherwort in any type of cardiac imbalance resulting from a nervous origin (3).
Endocrine system
In TCM, motherwort is commonly used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism as it is believed to have thyroid inhibiting effect (4). Its effects on the cardiovascular system are particularly important for managing associated symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It helps to reduce tachycardia and heart palpitations that often accompany this condition (7).
Reproductive system
Motherwort can be used in any condition affecting uterine function including menstrual irregularities, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, delayed menstruation and menopausal symptoms, especially where these symptoms arise from tension, anxiety or stagnation (3,7) It is classed as a uterine tonic, strengthening and nourishing the uterus in preparation for childbirth, as well as supporting and strengthening it postpartum. It is specifically indicated where menstruation is delayed or suppressed as a result of emotional tension (5).
Motherwort helps to regulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis indirectly via stress reduction, thereby helping to improve cycle regularity (3). It is not only a tonic for the reproductive tissues, but also relieves tension through its antispasmodic action (2,6).
Urinary system
Motherwort has an affinity for the urinary system and can be used to support kidney health. It is indicated in cases of kidney fluid congestion and water retention due to its diuretic effect. Thus it can help to address conditions such as oedema, albuminuria, nephritis and chronic prostatitis (2,6). Motherwort helps to detoxify the blood of excess proteins through increased elimination of waste products via the kidneys. It may also be useful where there is blood in the urine caused by kidney stones (5).
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Motherwort research
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) There is currently very little research into the medicinal actions of motherwort. Almost all of the supporting literature is from classic herbals. There are a small number of in vivo and in vitro studies included below that focus on compounds found in motherwort which demonstrate a variety of its effects.
Motherwort injection for preventing postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women with cesarean section: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
A systematic review was carried out to investigate the effects the motherwort used in TCM (Leonurus japonicus), covering a total of 46 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 7,359 participants. All participants were undergoing a caesarean section. Motherwort, either injected alone or in combination with oxytocin was administered to evaluate the effects on reducing postpartum haemorrhage.
The primary outcome was blood loss within two hours postpartum, with secondary outcomes including blood loss within 24 hours, incidence of postpartum haemorrhage, and adverse events.
Results showed that both motherwort alone and in combination significantly reduced blood loss at two hours (MD −21.81 ml and −53.04 ml, respectively) and at 24 hours (MD −25.44 mL and −67.81 mL, respectively), compared to oxytocin alone. Additionally, both interventions reduced adverse events, and the combination therapy significantly lowered the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Overall, motherwort injection demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant benefit in reducing postpartum blood loss and improving safety outcomes in women undergoing caesarean section (11).
Effect of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in patients with arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders
A clinical study investigated the effects of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in 50 patients with stage 1 and 2 arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disturbances. Participants received 1200 mg daily over 28 days. The study found that the oil showed improvements in both blood pressure and emotional symptoms, with patients with stage 1 hypertension responding approximately one week earlier than those with stage 2.
According to the Clinical Global Impression scale, 32% of patients showed significant improvement in anxiety and depression, 48% moderate improvement, and 8% mild improvement, while 12% showed no response. Side effects were minimal across all groups. Overall, the findings suggest that motherwort extract may offer a beneficial therapeutic effect in managing mild to moderate hypertension, particularly where this is associated with anxiety and sleep disturbances (12).
A review on plants and herbal components with antiarrhythmic activities and their interaction with current cardiac drugs
Motherwort has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects through in vitro research. Whilst, in vivo studies have established hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of leonurine, a compound in motherwort. Uterotonic effects from some of its active constituents; lavandulifolicide and verbascoside have also been identified. Whilst a compound called stachydrine was identified as having oxytocic effects via in vivo research (13).
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Historical use of motherwort
Motherwort is used to support menstrual irregularity and associated menstrual conditions in both Europe and China. The herb most often used in China is a botanically related species Leonurus heterophyllus (yu mu cao); and has been used to invigorate the Blood, regulate menstruation and offer support for postpartum care (6,7). Both these species share similar medicinal and pharmacological uses.
Its reputation for improving mood has been a consistent theme since the Mediaeval era. The English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper considered motherwort useful for removing ‘melancholy vapours’ from the heart, improving cheerfulness, and settling the wombs of mothers (8). The Eclectic physicians considered motherwort as a key remedy for supporting cardiac function, reducing nervous excitability and supporting emotional and autonomic imbalance (9).
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Motherwort’s herbal actions
Herbal actions describe therapeutic changes that occur in the body in response to taking a herb. These actions are used to express how a herb physiologically influences cells, tissues, organs or systems. Clinical observations are traditionally what have defined these actions: an increase in urine output, diuretic; improved wound healing, vulnerary; or a reduction in fever, antipyretic. These descriptors too have become a means to group herbs by their effects on the body — herbs with a nervine action have become the nervines, herbs with a bitter action are the bitters. Recognising herbs as members of these groups provides a preliminary familiarity with their mechanisms from which to then develop an understanding of their affinities and nuance and discern their clinical significance.
Western actions
Ayurvedic actions
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Motherwort’s energetic qualities
Herbal energetics are the descriptions Herbalists have given to plants, mushrooms, lichens, foods, and some minerals based on the direct experience of how they taste, feel, and work in the body. All traditional health systems use these principles to explain how the environment we live in and absorb, impacts our health. Find out more about traditional energetic actions in our article “An introduction to herbal energetics“.
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What can I use motherwort for?
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) Motherwort is associated with calming anxiety symptoms, especially when they manifest in the chest. It promotes a sense of calm and compliments breathing exercises that focus on reducing tension in the diaphragm.
Tension and anxiety are often associated with tightness in the diaphragm and ribcage — this amplifies heart sounds, causing a heightened awareness of the heart beating, and also interferes with digestive transit.
A routine of breathing exercises to expand the diaphragm is important to manage this symptom of anxiety, and motherwort is a supportive tool in this exercise.
In this regard, a cup of motherwort tea is effective in supporting anxiety where the symptoms manifest as heart palpitations, hyperventilation, hiatus hernia and swallowing difficulties (1,2).
Motherwort (suggestive of its name) is a key herb in supporting women’s reproductive health, especially during periods of transition including menarche, childbirth and menopause. It helps to ease these transitions by supporting both the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is a uterine tonic and helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, specifically in cases where stress or tension can cause irregular cycles and bleeding (2,3).
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Did you know?
The botanical name, Leonurus, given to the plant by the leading plant taxonomist Linnaeus, reflected an early common association and name, lion’s tail (7).
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Botanical description
Motherwort is a herbaceous, perennial member of the mint family. It is native to Europe and will grow naturally in hedgerows, banks and most often in calcareous soils.
Its most distinguishable feature is the leaves, which are palmately cut into separate lobes or three-pointed segments and have a layer of soft hairs covering the surface.
The plant can grow to 1–2 meters in height and produces whorls of pinky-white flowers that also display a thick layer of hairs.
Like other Labiates it has a characteristic square (quadrilangular) stem (14).
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Common names
- Lions tail
- Lions ear
- Throw wort
- Herzgespann (Ger)
- Agripaume (Fr)
- Agripalma (Sp)
- Cardiaca (Sp)
- Yi mu cao (Chin)
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Habitat
Motherwort is thought to be native to the southeastern part of Europe and central Asia and was introduced to the UK and North America Its natural habitat is beside roadsides, in vacant fields, waste ground, rubbish dumps and other disturbed areas (15).
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How to grow motherwort
Motherwort is a perennial wildflower, which means it can easily become established if grown in the correct conditions. It can be grown in full sunshine or partial shade in any soil type although it prefers moist, rich soil with a slightly alkaline pH.
Plants can be propagated from seed in autumn or spring. Sow indoors in pots or trays in late winter or early spring. To sow in late spring or early summer use the cold stratification method by keeping the seeds refrigerated for a few weeks.
Once the cold stratification time has passed, sow indoors in pots or trays in late winter or early spring. Keep the compost moist as germination can take a few weeks.
Once the plants are big enough to handle they can be transferred into small pots or planted out in the summer. Motherwort will self seed easily.
It prefers a damp soil, but waterlogging should be avoided. Generally speaking it is a resilient plant that will be fine in most UK gardens and only needs watering when it is very dry. Once established, this plant is resistant to drought (16).
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Herbal preparation of motherwort
- Tincture
- Infusion
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Plant parts used
Aerial parts
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Dosage
- Tincture (ratio 1:5| 25%): Take between 6–18 ml per day.
- Infusion/decoction: To make an infusion, place 2–4 grams of dried material into one cup of boiling water, and infuse for up to 10 minutes. This should be drunk hot three times a day (6,7).
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Constituents
- Bitter iridoid glycosides: Leonuride, ajugol, galiridoside
- Terpenes
- Diterpenes: Labdanes including leocardin
- Triterpenes: Ursolic acid
- Alkaloids (trace): Leonurine and stachydrine
- Flavonoids: Kaempferol, apigenin and quercetin
- Tannins (5–9%): Hydrolysable and condensed
- Other constituents: Phenolic acids (caffeic acid), phenylpropanoids (verbascoside, lavandulifolioside), terpenoids (caryophyllene and α-pinene)
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Motherwort recipe
Heart calm tea
A supportive blend designed to nourish both the physical and emotional heart.
Ingredients
- 30 g dried limeflower
- 30 g dried hawthorn flower
- 25 g dried rose petals
- 15 g dried motherwort
How to make motherwort tea
- Blend all the ingredients together in a pot or mixing bowl.
- Boil the kettle.
- Take 2–3 teaspoons of the dried herb mixture and place into a teapot.
- Pour the boiling water into the teapot and let the infusion steep for five minutes. Cover the teapot with a lid to retain the volatile oils from the infusion.
- Drink 2–3 cups per day to uplift mood and nourish the heart.
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Safety
Motherwort is generally considered a safe and well tolerated herb when taken within the recommended dosages. It is best avoided in early pregnancy, and only used during the final few weeks. However, it is best to consult with a medical herbalist for guidance on taking motherwort at any time during pregnancy (2,3).
It may increase menstrual flow, and so caution is advised with heavy menstrual bleeding (3).
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Interactions
Theoretically it may increase the action of CNS depressants, but this has not been confirmed in clinical trials (17).
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Contraindications
None known (2,3,6).
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Sustainability status of motherwort
Motherwort is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN database of threatened species. In many regions it is widespread with stable populations which means there is currently a low risk of extinction in Europe.
However, due to unregulated collection from the wild for medicinal and cosmetic industries the population decline has been reported in several of its native countries. This species is also currently not widely cultivated for medicinal products or otherwise. It is therefore classed as ‘at risk’ on various national red lists (18,19).
Read our article on Herbal quality & safety: What to know before you buy and Sustainable sourcing of herbs to learn more about what to look for and questions to ask suppliers about sustainability.
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Quality control
Motherwort is both wild harvested and cultivated in Europe, whilst it is now mostly cultivated in China for medicinal purposes (6). Adulteration can be common with other Leonurus species including glaucescens, and contamination with heavy metals is not uncommon, emphasising the importance of sourcing from reputable suppliers (6).
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References
- Thomsen M. Phytotherapy Desk Reference. 6th ed. Aeon Books; 2022.
- Fisher C. Materia Medica of Western Herbs. Aeon Books; 2018.
- Mcintyre A. Complete Herbal Tutor : The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine (Second Edition). Aeon Books Limited; 2019.
- Holmes P. The Energetics of Western Herbs: : A Materia Medica Integrating Western and Chinese Herbal Therapeutics. Snow lotus press; 2020.
- Wood M. The Earthwise Herbal : A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. North Atlantic Books; 2008.
- Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
- Bone K, Mills S. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier; 2013.
- Culpeper N. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician. Applewood Books; 2011.
- King J, Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King’s American Dispensatory.; 1898.
- Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press; 2003.
- Chen W, Yu J, Tao H, Cai Y, Li Y, Sun X. Motherwort injection for preventing postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women with cesarean section: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. 2018;11(4):252-260. https://doi.org/10.1111/jebm.12300
- Shikov AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Makarov VG, Demchenko DV, Shikh EV. Effect of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in patients with arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders. Phytotherapy Research. 2010;25(4):540-543. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3292
- Beik A, Joukar S, Najafipour H. A review on plants and herbal components with antiarrhythmic activities and their interaction with current cardiac drugs. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2020;10(3):275-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.03.002
- RHS. Leonurus cardiaca | motherwort Herbaceous Perennial/RHS. Rhs.org.uk. Published 2025. Accessed February 9, 2025. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9940/leonurus-cardiaca/details
- Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Leonurus cardiaca L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. Plants of the World Online. Published 2025. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:449168-1
- Buckner H. How to Grow and Use Motherwort | Gardener’s Path. Gardener’s Path. Published April 30, 2020. https://gardenerspath.com/plants/herbs/grow-motherwort/
- Natural Medicines. Motherwort. naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Published 2024. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food
- Khela S. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leonurus cardiaca. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Published May 14, 2013. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203246/2762562
- Sun J, Wang Y, Garran TA, et al. Heterogeneous Genetic Diversity Estimation of a Promising Domestication Medicinal Motherwort Leonurus Cardiaca Based on Chloroplast Genome Resources. Frontiers in Genetics. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.721022
Meet our herbal experts
The Apothecary Forager, Ruth Weaver is a Medical Herbalist living, teaching and practising in the beautiful county of Cornwall, her place of birth and upbringing.
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