Motherwort where it grows and what it looks like. Medicinal and beneficial properties of motherwort

11.02.2018

Hello, dear readers! We all remember this mysterious word from childhood - “motherwort”. Personally, for me it evoked a feeling of aching melancholy, as my imagination painted the image of a lonely man wandering through the desert. These are children's associations.

And I immediately remember my grandmother, who drips something into a glass, counting the drops and saying: “Now I’ll drink motherwort for my nerves and I’ll sleep well.” From the article you will learn what kind of herb is motherwort, I will try to describe its medicinal properties and contraindications in as much detail as possible.

But, indeed, motherwort has a very good effect on the human nervous system. And not only for her! The scope of application of this herb is simply enormous.

What kind of miracle herb is this? What does she look like? Where does it grow? When to collect it? There are many questions, I will try to answer some of them in this article.

What does motherwort look like and where does it grow?

People call motherwort no matter what they call it: dog nettle, dead nettle, shaggy motherwort, and hairy motherwort. But it also has a beautiful, warm and, probably, the most accurate name - heart grass or core. Of course, this herb has nothing to do with love affairs, but it greatly affects the functioning of the heart and heart rate.

When looking at this herb, what comes to mind is not “hearty”, but rather “angry” or “prickly”, since the appearance does not correspond to its purpose and the soft name - “core”.

On a tall, hollow, hairy stem, small prickly inflorescences are clustered, each containing four nuts. These inflorescences seem to be stuck to the stem, from which branch jagged leaves that are rough to the touch. Blooming motherwort can be found as early as June; it will bloom until September.

The name of this herb speaks for itself - motherwort grows mainly in abandoned places: in a vacant lot, near a fence, in a landfill, on a boundary. Much less often it can be found in a forest clearing or pasture.

The core loves to settle along roads, but it is not worth collecting it near the highway, where it absorbs a lot of harmful substances.

When to collect and how to dry

You need to collect the core for treatment in June, when it just begins to bloom. At this time, all healing energy is concentrated in it.

It is necessary to cut off those plants on which the lower flowers have already opened, and the upper ones are just gathering. The top should be collected with a length of no more than 35-40 cm and a diameter of up to 5 mm.

If you are late with the collection date, then there will be half as much useful substances for which motherwort is collected. And collecting the core with fully blossomed flowers is not very convenient - it becomes extremely prickly.

Well, and, of course, the weather should be good, clear and dry, as well as the mood of the person who collects this weed. You need to collect it with love, thank every bush and think only about the good.

Arriving home, you need to chop the grass with a knife or scissors, spread it on paper or clean cloth somewhere in the shade, but not in the wind. During the drying process, the raw materials should be stirred to prevent rotting.

When the motherwort is completely dry, the leaves will become brittle and brittle. Everything must be carefully laid out in linen bags or boxes and stored in a dry place.

With proper drying, the healing properties will last for three years.

Composition of motherwort and indications for use

This herb, due to its medicinal properties, actually reduces the excitability of the nervous system, at the same time stimulates the heart muscle, increasing its contractions, at the same time making them rarer; in other words, it calms the heartbeat.

Motherwort infusion smoothly lowers blood pressure and normalizes heart rate.

Angina pectoris, myocarditis, cardioneurosis, heart failure, shortness of breath, vegetative dystonia, atherosclerosis - all this is the area of ​​application of the core.

In addition, it enhances blood movement and also improves its composition, so motherwort is useful for those who have anemia.

Consumption of the core will help get rid of insomnia, neuroses, and hysteria. It will relieve anxiety, headaches and neuralgia. Motherwort tincture affects the nervous system 2-3 times stronger than valerian root tincture. That's why

Motherwort preparations are sometimes more effective than valerian tincture.

For problems with the respiratory system, tea or a decoction of this herb has a good effect, relieving inflammation and helping with severe coughs as an expectorant. At high temperatures, motherwort will cause sweating, thereby lowering it.

The healing properties of motherwort will help relieve spasms and colic in the intestines, eliminate bloating, relieve stomach pain and restore the function of the gastrointestinal tract. In the field of endocrinology, it is prescribed to normalize metabolism, purify the blood, and for inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Also, the medicinal properties of motherwort help women cope with menstrual pain and restore the cycle, relieve inflammation in endometriosis. With a tincture of the core, you can more easily survive the not very pleasant symptoms of menopause.

This herb is prescribed in the complex treatment of cystitis, renal and cardiac edema as a diuretic. For men, it is useful in the treatment of prostate adenoma and sexual weakness.

In the presence of skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, eczema, itchy skin, lichen planus, psoriasis, motherwort is prescribed as a sedative. Traditional medicine recommends using decoctions and infusions of alcohol for burns, skin ulcers, and non-healing wounds.

Instead of fashionable and super-expensive sedatives for children with increased excitability, it is better to use an inexpensive natural drug called Motherwort.

Moreover, it is absolutely non-toxic and does not cause allergies (this advice is not a medical recommendation; before using motherwort, it is better to consult a doctor).

Contraindications

Despite its medicinal properties, motherwort herb has contraindications for use. It is not recommended to drink the core:

  • pregnant women at any stage, as miscarriage or premature birth may occur;
  • nursing mothers;
  • with a stomach or duodenal ulcer;
  • those with low blood pressure;
  • people with a slow heart rate;
  • when working with a high concentration of attention (for example, drivers), as drowsiness may occur.

As can be seen from this article, motherwort is a very useful herb that has a wide range of applications in the treatment of various diseases. Moreover, this medicine can be found literally under your feet.

But you need to keep in mind that it is dangerous to use this medicine without consulting a doctor. Self-medication can only cause harm.

See you soon, dear friends! Don't forget to tell your friends and family about this wonderful herb using social media. Be healthy and happy!

Motherwort grass, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are described in this article, is a herbaceous perennial plant. In traditional and folk medicine it is valuable for its calming, sedative, cardiotonic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, and hypotensive effects. Mainly used in the form of tablets and alcohol tincture.

Motherwort, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which people have long known, is an excellent remedy for insomnia and “nerves.” But the herb has a number of other beneficial properties. It is used actively as a general tonic, cardiotonic, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, and diuretic. This herb takes its place of honor in the state pharmacopoeia of our country.

Species

What does a motherwort plant look like? There are 25 species of this herbaceous perennial plant. Only three of them are used for medical purposes. In terms of beneficial properties and morphological structure, these species are similar to each other.

Motherwort hairy (five-lobed)

The height of this plant can reach 150 cm. This species has an erect stem with a small number of branches, as well as pubescent hairs. An interesting feature of the leaves is that the edges are serrated, 3-5-lobed; dark green above, gray below; on both sides of the leaf with glandular hairs. The flowers are collected in whorls, two-lipped, small, pink. In the botanical classification, it previously belonged to the species of motherwort.

Motherwort common (cordial)

Its main difference is that it has a bare stem and is slightly hairy on the ribs. In addition, it has very few glandular hairs on the leaves, and the flowers have a bare calyx and are smaller.

Blue motherwort

The leaves and stem have a grayish color, hence the name of this plant. The stem is pubescent and can reach a height of 1 meter. The flowers on the whorls are small, pale pink.

Area

All 3 species belong to weeds (ruderal) plants. They can quickly take over resource-free areas and form thickets. They prefer to grow near homes and roads, in weedy places, gardens, sparse forests, ravines, ravines, wastelands, slopes and cliffs, railway embankments and abandoned quarries, pastures and pastures, and can be found less often along river banks. The grass prefers clayey, sandy soils, which are enriched with nitrogen.

Distributed throughout Eastern and Central Europe, Ukraine, Belarus, Central Asia, as well as Western and Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, China, and the Caucasus. Well established as an alien plant in North America. The range of the blue motherwort in Russia is somewhat limited; it can mainly be seen in the European part and in the southern regions of our country.

Blank

Therapeutic effect

Motherwort has very different medicinal properties and contraindications for men and women. Its pharmacological action:

  • soothing;
  • antispasmodic;
  • bactericidal;
  • sedative;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • expectorant;
  • diuretic;
  • cardiotonic;
  • antipyretic;
  • hypotensive;
  • restorative;
  • wound healing.

The herb motherwort has a wide variety of medicinal properties and contraindications, as mentioned above. It also has other healing properties:

  • anticonvulsant;
  • hemostatic;
  • regulating the menstrual cycle;
  • astringent.

Indications for use

The herb motherwort extends its medicinal properties and contraindications to all human systems. What does it heal? For what symptoms and diseases is it most effective?

  1. Cardiovascular system. If you have high blood pressure, drinking it is useful to normalize your heart rhythm. This is a famous cardiotonic drug in scientific medicine. It is prescribed for myocarditis, angina pectoris, heart failure, cardioneurosis, vegetative dystonia, shortness of breath, atherosclerosis, cerebral vascular sclerosis. The herb perfectly stimulates blood circulation, in addition, it effectively improves blood composition, therefore, it is prescribed for anemia.
  2. CNS. The herb helps with neuroses, insomnia, increased anxiety, hysteria, attacks of panic and fear, and relieves neuralgic and headaches. It is not inferior in its effect on the central nervous system to valerian. In addition, the herb can be prescribed in the complex treatment of seizures, epilepsy, and paralysis.
  3. Digestive system. The herb is beneficial for gastrointestinal disorders, it relieves pain, spasms, eliminates bloating, and easily helps with intestinal and stomach colic.
  4. Urinary system. Used in therapy for edema, cystitis associated with heart and kidney failure.
  5. Respiratory organs. This herb has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. Decoctions are effective for coughs (bronchial asthma, bronchitis, ARVI, pneumonia, influenza). In addition, it is used as an antipyretic and
  6. Endocrinology. The plant cleanses the blood, normalizes metabolism, acts on the hormonal system, while motherwort is prescribed for various thyroid diseases.
  7. Outdoor use. Infusions, fresh juice and alcohol tinctures of the plant are popularly used in the treatment of non-healing wounds, ulcers, and burns.

Contraindications

So, motherwort has very different medicinal properties and contraindications for women and men. What are its contraindications? There are few of them: an allergic reaction, individual intolerance, bradycardia, thrombosis, varicose veins. In addition, the official instructions state that this herb should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This issue must be resolved individually with the treating doctor. The plant is prescribed with caution for hypotension, as it can cause harm - significantly lower blood pressure, cause lethargy and drowsiness.

Pharmacy drugs

Motherwort in tablets, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are similar to the plant itself, come in various packages: from 10 to 100 pieces. The drug has a pharmacological sedative and anticonvulsant effect. Also used as a diuretic

The medicinal properties and contraindications of the tincture are similar. The main active ingredient is extracts of motherwort and motherwort. The herb is infused with 70% alcohol. The main pharmacological action is hypotensive, sedative, sedative.

Infusion

How to brew motherwort, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are described in this article? There is no difference between infusion and tea. Each recipe may be called differently in different herbalists. But usually infusions are infused longer, while tea takes about 15 minutes.

Infusion recipe

You will need a tablespoon of raw materials. Pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour. Then strain. Use motherwort in this form, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are of interest to many today, depending on the symptoms - ½ or ¼ glass three times a day. It helps excellently with nervous excitability; the remedy is effective for diseases of the intestines and stomach that are associated with “nerves”.

Tea

Take a couple of tablespoons of the herb. Fill it with a glass of hot water. Leave for about 10 minutes. Strain. Every other day you can drink a glass of this tea, dividing it into 3 uses. The course of treatment can last up to a month.

Calming collection

Prepare a mixture from equal parts of St. John's wort, motherwort, hawthorn and lemon balm, valerian. You will need 2 tbsp. spoons of this mixture. Fill it with a glass of hot water. Infuse the product for about 10 minutes, then strain. This collection, according to reviews, perfectly helps with dystonia, relieves anxiety and attacks of fear. In addition, it is good to drink to prevent atherosclerosis, as well as normalize heart activity.

Alcohol tincture of motherwort: medicinal properties and contraindications

Some raw materials will be required. It must be filled with 5 full parts of alcohol. Leave in a dark place for 7 days, then strain.

The course of treatment and dose are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the severity of symptoms and individual characteristics. The permissible dose is 30 drops three times a day. Dilute the drops in water. Contraindications are listed above.

Content

In folk medicine, motherwort herb is highly valued - the medicinal properties and contraindications of tea, tinctures and decoctions from it are important to study in order to exclude possible side effects and harm to health. The name of this plant is associated with the place where it grows and its inconspicuous appearance. For its many medicinal properties, it is also recognized by official medicine, where it is considered a “heart healer.” The use of motherwort for specific diseases is carried out according to different recipes.

What is motherwort

This is a perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family, with a tetrahedral branched stem and petiolate leaves. It can grow up to 100 cm in height. The Latin name of the herb Leonurus quinquelobatus is translated as five-lobed motherwort. This indicates the characteristic structure of the plant’s leaves, which are cut into 5 lobes. Its flowering is not too dense; it occurs from June to October.

Compound

This plant has several other names, such as dead nettle, wild or dog nettle, heart grass and core. In medicine, it is valued for its small list of individual contraindications and its medicinal properties, due to a large number of useful substances. The composition of the plant includes:

  • essential oils;
  • tannins;
  • glycosides;
  • vitamins A and C;
  • alkaloids;
  • flavonoids;
  • carotene;
  • organic acids;
  • iridoids.

Pharmacological properties

The medicinal properties of heart grass are diverse, so it is used in various fields of medicine, provided there are no contraindications. The most significant actions are:

  • hypotensive effect – normalizing blood pressure;
  • cardiotonic effect – restoring the heartbeat in heart diseases, stimulating heart contractions;
  • vasodilator and antispasmodic – relieving spasms of cerebral vessels;
  • sedative – eliminating nervous disorder, improving overall well-being and sleep;
  • anticonvulsant – eliminating uncontrolled paroxysmal muscle contractions;
  • antioxidant;
  • hemostatic effect;
  • decongestant;
  • diuretic effect.

Benefits of motherwort for the body

The healing properties of the core also include improving metabolism: carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. In addition, it has fewer contraindications and side effects compared to valerian. When used externally, it is used to treat wounds and burns. The core benefits almost every body system:

  1. Central nervous system. Heart herb is part of sedative medications. It is used in the treatment of neuroses, insomnia, and hysteria. It is effective in cases of fear and panic attacks. The herb is often used to treat seizures, epilepsy and paralysis.
  2. Urinary system. The core helps with edema due to renal or heart failure and cystitis.
  3. Cardiovascular system. The plant is useful for high blood pressure. In addition, it normalizes heart rhythm.
  4. Digestive. The core contains alkaloids that help with gastrointestinal disorders, cramps, pain and bloating.
  5. Respiratory. The herb has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes expectoration, which helps with acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and pneumonia.

For men

Heart herb helps men in the prevention of cardiosclerosis, high blood pressure and myocarditis. It also has a positive effect on potency disorders that arise as a result of psycho-emotional stress. The plant also has a positive effect on the following diseases:

  • varicocele;
  • congestion in the pelvis;
  • nervous system disorder, increased excitability.

For women

Motherwort is prescribed to women during menopause. The herb helps relieve irritability, has a tonic and restorative effect, without affecting the body's hormonal levels. For young girls, the plant is useful because it helps strengthen the muscles of the uterus, relieves pain during childbirth and normalizes the menstrual cycle. In addition, it reduces uterine bleeding

Motherwort preparations

The medicinal properties of motherwort are used in the manufacture of the following medications, which can be purchased at different prices in pharmacies in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities:

  1. Liquid extract in tablet form, for example Motherwort Forte. Refers to diuretics. Helps reduce overexcitation, reduces the number of heart contractions, eliminates shortness of breath in the treatment of hypertension. The price is about 50-100 rubles.
  2. Motherwort infusion. Used for the treatment of astheno-neurotic and neurotic dysfunction with sleep disorders, neuroses and at the initial stage of arterial hypertension. The price ranges from 10 to 30 rubles.
  3. Grass. It is a dry raw material, the indications for use of which are the same cases as for motherwort tincture. The price is about 20-50 rubles.

Tea with motherwort

In addition to the wonderful aroma, tea from this medicinal plant has many medicinal properties. It has a positive effect on people with nervous stress, dystonia, and insomnia. Medicinal tea helps women with premenstrual syndrome. Taking the drug relieves headaches and helps fight symptoms such as irritability, increased anxiety, and tearfulness.

How to brew

You can easily prepare tea yourself, even at home. To do this, you need to use the following simple instructions:

  1. Take 2 teaspoons of dry raw materials.
  2. Boil water and pour one glass of boiling water over the herb.
  3. Cover the container tightly and leave for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Then the lid can be removed, the drink must be strained through cheesecloth or a fine sieve to get rid of any remaining raw materials.

How to drink

The average duration of treatment is approximately 30 days. It is not recommended to skip drinking tea, because only regular use will bring the desired effect. You need to drink at least one cup per day. This can be done entirely or in parts. It is recommended to drink half a cup in the morning and the rest in the evening. In this case, every 12 hours you will consume half the required amount. It is better to drink the tea itself warm, slowly, in small sips.

Motherwort treatment

The beneficial effect of motherwort on the body is used in various folk recipes. Based on this herb, alcohol and water tinctures, decoctions, and teas are prepared. The juice of this plant is also used. Various herbal mixtures with motherwort produce no less effect. The herb is even used externally in the form of lotions, compresses or baths. The main thing is to follow the recipe and scheme of use of each product.

For gastritis

In case of exacerbation of gastritis or stomach ulcers, drink a decoction or tincture based on this plant. You can prepare and consume them according to the following instructions:

  1. Steam 4 tbsp with a glass of boiling water. dry raw materials. After half an hour of settling, strain the product using gauze. Drink 1/3 glass before each meal.
  2. Grind dry leaves into powder, take 2 tbsp. and pour 200 ml of vodka over them, leave in a dark place for four days. Take half or a whole teaspoon up to 4 times throughout the day before each meal.

For the heart

Motherwort for the heart is effective in the form of alcohol tinctures or decoctions. In this case, the following folk recipes are widely used:

  1. Mix alcohol infusions of motherwort, valerian, peony and Corvalol in equal quantities. It is recommended to take 30 drops of tincture as needed or every evening.
  2. Pour 2 teaspoons of dry herb with water at room temperature (400 ml). Leave the product to infuse for 8 hours, then strain. Drink 50 ml half an hour before your intended meal. Repeat 4 times throughout the day.

For pancreatitis

The plant stabilizes the coordinated functioning of the digestive organs during pancreatitis. To achieve a positive effect, you must use the following recipes:

  1. About 3 tbsp. place the raw materials in a glass container. Pour 220 ml of boiling water there and cover the container with a towel. After 1-1.5 hours, strain the product and cover with a lid. Use 1 tbsp. 30-40 minutes before a meal. The course of treatment is 2-4 weeks.
  2. Mix 2 tbsp. peppermint, St. John's wort and motherwort. Pour 700 ml of boiling water over the mixture, cover with a lid and leave for a couple of hours. Then take half a glass three times a day for 10 days.

For hypertension

One of the main medicinal properties of this plant is its ability to lower blood pressure. For this reason, hypotension is a contraindication. If the pressure, on the contrary, is increased, then you can use the following recipes:

  1. Mix a glass of alcohol or vodka with 50 g of dry raw materials, leave the product for 2 weeks in a dark place. Use 25 ml up to 4 times daily.
  2. Collect 30-40 g of hawthorn, motherwort, mistletoe and cudweed. Pour the mixture with a liter of boiling water, pour into a thermos, where you leave for 2 hours. Strain the product and store it in the refrigerator. Drink a third of a glass up to 3 times throughout the day.

During menopause

Decoctions and tinctures based on heart herbs help improve your condition and get rid of the unpleasant signs of menopause. Prepare them according to the following instructions:

  1. Brew 2 tsp boiling water. crushed leaves of the plant. Leave for about 15-20 minutes, strain. For hot flashes, take a third of a glass of decoction three times a day.
  2. Mix dry leaves of blackberry, motherwort, hawthorn fruit, lemon balm in proportions 3:2:1:1:1. Take only 1 tablespoon from the collection, which is poured with a glass of boiling water. After an hour, the product can be filtered. You need to consume it 1/3 cup daily up to 3 times. Regular use should last for at least 2 weeks.

During menstruation

To get rid of unpleasant symptoms during menstruation, herbal remedies help. The following recipes get good reviews:

  1. Take dry raw materials in the following quantities: motherwort, fragrant woodruff - 20 g each, blackberry leaf - 25 g, cucumber - 15 g, hawthorn - 10 g. Brew the herbal mixture according to the tea preparation instructions indicated above, taking 2 tsp. means for 250 ml of boiling water. The effect appears after 7-10 days of treatment.
  2. Take 2 tbsp. flowers of hawthorn, chamomile, motherwort and marsh cudweed. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over them, boil for a couple of minutes, then leave for 4 hours. Drink a third of a glass daily 4 times after meals.

For infertility

A combination of several plants is also used to treat infertility. You can prepare herbal infusions and take them according to the following instructions:

  1. Prepare the same amount of horsetail, immortelle, calendula flowers, chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow, motherwort. Take only 10 tsp from the mixed herbs. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over them and leave to steep for 2 hours. Drink 100 ml three times a day. Treatment should begin 2 months before the expected conception.
  2. Pour 2 tsp into two glasses of warm water. dried raw materials, let stand for 8 hours, then strain. Drink half a glass three times a day before each meal.

For epilepsy

The plant cannot completely cure this disease, but it is quite capable of reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. For this purpose, the following folk recipes are used:

  1. Collect the same amount of the following herbs - motherwort, Danish astragalus, curly lily tubers, lemongrass berries, horsetail ephedra, open lumbago. It is better to take 1 teaspoon of each plant. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over the mixture and leave for 15-20 minutes. Use the product morning and evening.
  2. Prepare 500 ml of boiling water, 2 tsp. herbs. Mix them, then leave for about 2 hours. Drink 1-2 tbsp before meals. Repeat the procedure up to 4 times throughout the day.

Contraindications

Even with a large number of medicinal properties, the plant has a number of important contraindications. It cannot be used in the following cases:

  • period of lactation or pregnancy;
  • bradycardia;
  • hypersensitivity to the plant;
  • age up to 12 years;
  • hypotension.

Experts disagree on the use of the plant in children. Some doctors recommend baths with this herb already in the first year of life for babies if they have colic, poor sleep, regurgitation or constant restlessness. Children over 3 years old are given motherwort in the form of tea for hyperactivity or indigestion. People whose work involves increased concentration are not recommended to use motherwort. It should not be combined with alcohol or other sedatives with a sedative effect.

Side effect

In addition to contraindications, the herb also has a number of side effects. The plant is not dangerous, but if the dosage is exceeded, it can cause a negative reaction in the body. Side effects of motherwort are as follows:

  • decreased blood pressure;
  • drowsiness due to drug overdose;
  • increased uterine tone, which is why it is rarely prescribed to pregnant women;
  • decreased heart rate;
  • vomiting, diarrhea with uncontrolled use;
  • an allergic reaction in the form of skin itching or rash.

Video

Found an error in the text?
Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we will fix everything!

On uncultivated lands, where the soil has not been subjected to agrotechnical influence for many years, several species of plants grow, which take their name from the place of their existence. This is motherwort, a grass that has chosen a wasteland for its prosperity, no one bothers it there. For many years, people did not suspect that it contained essential substances that could have a healing effect on human health. The medicinal properties of this plant and some contraindications became known several centuries ago. Today, only three types of motherwort are used in medicine; in the photo you can see what they look like.

A perennial plant with spreading foliage and powerful inflorescences can reach a height of up to one and a half meters. There are 25 varieties of these plants, but only 3 of them have medicinal properties, and are used traditionally and in the form of tablets, decoctions or infusions.


These three species are recognized as medicinal and are used in the preparation of decoctions, infusions, and are processed for use in pharmaceuticals to produce dosage forms in tablets and vaccines.

The healing properties of motherwort

The healing properties of motherwort did not immediately become obvious; they were studied in practice for a long time, used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. The pharmaceutical functions of drugs based on motherwort have long been tested on animals in scientific medical institutions.

Today, medicine recommends using motherwort for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, in which the use of such remedies is an effective measure on the path to recovery. Doctors define the main pharmacological functions of motherwort as follows:

  • normalization of blood pressure in hypertensive diseases;
  • prevention of heart and vascular diseases;
  • calming effect on the nervous system during stress, depression, emotional stress;
  • improving the functioning of the digestive system, protecting the liver from toxins;
  • increasing immunity and stabilizing the body’s energy balance;
  • the ability to stop internal bleeding (decoction of motherwort root), slowing down blood flow from open wounds and abrasions;

Motherwort is used in both folk and traditional medicine
  • reduction of itching in skin diseases, analgesic and antibacterial effects when used externally;
  • relieving spasms, dilating blood vessels, urinary effect.

Attention! Fresh plant juice is the most effective component; its use is much faster and more effective in treating both internal and external human organs.

Where there is benefit, there is harm

We will not scare you, but all dosage forms, while bringing relief to some people, can harm others, so motherwort should also be taken with caution, and in rare cases, its use should be completely abandoned.

  1. For patients with low blood pressure, this drug is contraindicated, because it has the property of lowering blood pressure.
  2. Preparations with motherwort can cause drowsiness and lethargy, and therefore are not recommended for people engaged in work that requires them to be focused and attentive.
  3. Use by pregnant women is prohibited; during this period there is a danger that the tone of the uterus may increase due to the action of motherwort, which is not desirable.
  4. Do not take the drug if your pulse rate or heart rate is low.

Advice. Before taking motherwort-based medications, you must consult with a therapist and undergo an examination to determine the tolerability of a particular drug under the supervision of a doctor. Always act this way and take care of your health.

Ways to use motherwort at home

The first independent collection of the plant should be carried out together with experienced herbalists; they can indicate the correct medicinal type of motherwort, tell you at what time it is best to collect it and how to prepare it. We would like to advise you on several ways to use this healing plant:


Before treatment with motherwort, study the contraindications
  • We recommend from time to time to take a relaxing and soothing bath before bed with the addition of a decoction, tincture or concentrate of motherwort;
  • tea from the leaves of this plant will calm the nerves, relieve irritation, and improve tone after a hard day at work;
  • morning and evening washing with motherwort decoction improves facial skin;
  • Rinsing oily hair after washing significantly reduces the greasiness of the scalp.

We wish you good health, and as always, we hope that our tips and recommendations were useful to you.

Useful properties of motherwort: video

Description.

  • Motherwort (Leonurus quinquelobatus) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a tetrahedral, erect, pubescent, branched stem. The leaves are opposite, palmately five-parted, crenate-serrate, dark green above, light green below. The flowers are small, two-lipped, densely pubescent. The upper lip of the corolla is purple-pink, the lower lip is yellowish, with purple specks. The flowers are collected in whorls in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruits are triangular nuts. Height 40-100 cm
  • Motherwort (Leonurus glaucescens) is a perennial herbaceous, bluish-grayish, finely pubescent plant. The leaves are opposite, palmately cut, with oblong-lanceolate or linear lobes. Bracts with a wedge-shaped base. The flowers are small, two-lipped, pale pink, collected in whorls. Height 70-100 cm.

Flowering time. Motherwort five-lobed blooms in June - August, glaucous - in June - July.

Spreading. Motherwort five-lobed is found in many places in the European part of the USSR, in Western Siberia and Central Asia, motherwort is found in the South-Eastern and Eastern zones of the European part of the USSR.

Habitat. The five-lobed motherwort grows in wastelands, slopes, cliffs, along roads, in gardens and near dwellings, the gray motherwort grows in bushes, ravines, near roads and in weedy places.

Applicable part. Grass (tops of stems with leaves and flowers).

Collection time. During the flowering period.

Chemical composition. The herb contains several alkaloids (only at the beginning of flowering - 0.35-0.40%) - bitter leonurine and leonurinine, stachydrine, saponins, glucosides, tannins (about 2.14%), sugars, essential oil (0.05% ), traces of vitamins A and C and other substances.

Application. Motherwort was known as a medicinal plant back in the Middle Ages. The plant is widely used in folk medicine in many countries. Motherwort has long been used in Russian folk medicine as a heart remedy and for persistent coughs.

Infusions and tinctures of the herb act on the cardiovascular system, slow down the heart rate, increase the strength of heart contractions, and lower blood pressure. It has been established that motherwort preparations have a calming effect on the central nervous system, and are three to four times stronger than valerian tincture. Motherwort increases urination, enhances menstruation, expels gases when they accumulate in the stomach and intestines, stops gastrointestinal colic, reduces and relieves pain, reduces and stops shortness of breath and palpitations, and improves the well-being of patients. Motherwort preparations reduce headaches and, having a mild hypnotic effect, improve sleep.

In folk medicine, motherwort is taken as a cordial and sedative. A decoction of the roots is drunk as a hemostatic agent for various bleeding, and herbal poultices are used as a pain reliever for aches and pains.

In German folk medicine, infusions and tinctures are used for palpitations, headaches, anemia, gastrointestinal colic, asthma, shortness of breath, as a diuretic, and especially for painful menstruation and its delay.

In scientific medicine, motherwort is used for cardiovascular neuroses, increased nervous excitability, the initial stages of hypertension, cardiosclerosis, angina pectoris, myocarditis, heart defects and mild forms of Graves' disease. It has a good effect on heart weakness that occurs after influenza and other infectious diseases. In case of heart failure, motherwort reduces swelling, increasing urination; in case of hypertension, it lowers blood pressure, reduces headaches, improves sleep and the general well-being of patients.

Motherwort is widely used in foreign medical practice. In England it is recommended to be used for hysteria, neuralgia, cardiac weakness and shortness of breath, and in Romania for Graves' disease and epilepsy.

Motherwort herb is part of soothing herbs.

Directions for use.

  1. Infuse 2 teaspoons of motherwort herb for 6-8 hours in 2 glasses of cooled boiled water, strain. Take 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day 1/2 hour before meals.
  2. Infuse 15 g of herb for 2 hours in 1 glass of boiling water in a sealed container, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3-5 times a day 1/2 hour before meals.
  3. Alcohol tincture of motherwort (and also together with tincture of lily of the valley) take 20-30 drops with water 2-3 times a day 1/2 hour before meals.
  4. Grind dry leaves into powder. Take 0.5-1 G 4 times a day before meals.

Materials used:

  • Medicinal plants of our homeland - V. P. Makhlayuk