Motherwort is a strong-smelling perennial herb with purple stems and pink-mauve to white flowers. It has also been used for centuries to regulate the menstrual cycle and to treat menopausal and menstrual complaints as well as conditions relating to child birth.

Motherwort acts as a galactagogue, meaning it can help promote a mother’s milk flow. It is also used as a uterine (womb) tonic before and after childbirth because it contains a chemical called leonurine, which encourages womb contractions. In addition, motherwort is a mild relaxing agent and is often used treat such menopausal complaints as nervousness, hot flushes, insomnia, heart palpitations, and rapid heart rate.

 

Motherwort was recently shown to prevent the formation of blood clots, which, of course, improves blood flow and reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other diseases. It is good for hypertension because it relaxes blood vessels and calms nerves. Motherwort also may correct the heart palpitations that sometimes accompany thyroid disease and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). And because of its ability to improve mental outlook and reduce the effects of stress, some herbalists feel motherwort tea can help minimise the risk of postpartum depression. In such cases, motherwort combines well with linden flower and ginger tinctures.

 

And if all this wasn’t enough motherwort is also useful for headache, insomnia, vertigo, asthma, bronchitis, and other lung problems, usually mixed with mullein and other lung herbs.

 

You can prepare motherwort tea or get a tincture. As a tincture, take 2 drops every 10-15 minutes until your symptoms disappear.  As a tea, drink 1/2 to 1 cup three times a day until you feel better.

 

Note: Avoid motherwort if you are pregnant, unless a health professional recommends its use. Do not use in the first trimester. Do not attempt to treat heart conditions without medical supervision. If you have clotting problems or take medication to thin the blood, do not use motherwort without your doctor’s advice or permission.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at 1:50 am and is filed under Herbs, Menopause, Periods and PMS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.