Witnessed by: Western
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), of the Lamiaceae family. Erect square-stemmed perennial with palmate, spiny-toothed leaves; native range: waste ground and hedgerows of Europe and central Asia. Globally recognized as lion's tail, lion's ear, throw-wort in English. The part used is flowering aerial parts. Very bitter and faintly aromatic, with a disagreeable taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
MOTHERWORT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- motherwort
- Scientific name
- Leonurus cardiaca L.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Form
- Part used
- flowering aerial parts
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter (faintly aromatic)
Temperature
- Western
- cool, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- heart · nervous system · uterus · circulation
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- cardiotonic, nervine, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, mild sedative, carminative
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy as a uterine stimulant; heavy menstrual bleeding
Toxicity: low; large doses may loosen the bowel, and the leaf hairs can irritate skin
Interactions
- Western
- cardiac glycosides: may potentiate the action of cardiac glycosides such as digoxin · sedatives / CNS depressants: additive sedative effect
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