Common Motherwort Leonurus Cardiaca Motherwort Herb Extract.

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Motherwort Administration and Application Guide.

Motherwort Herb Extract Leonurus Cardiaca photo picture image Dosage and Administration:

 10-30g; 60g when used alone.10-15 g., 30 g. for large dosage. 10-15g of the decoction is orally taken.
 Dried herb: 2-4g or by infusion
 Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4ml
 Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
 Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol, 2-6ml; 1:5 in 25% alcohol, 4-10ml;take 1-4ml of the tincture three times a day.
 Decoct in water or boil it down into a soft extract or include it in pills for oral administration.
 Take an infusion, 200 ml (8 fl oz), twice daily. For the tincture, take 2 ml (40 drops), three times a day. The Chinese dosage is 9 - 60 g (1/2 - 3 oz).
 For external use, mash an adequate amount of this herb for external application or decoct it in water for external rinsing.

 A tea may be prepared by soaking about 2,000 mg to 3,000 mg (2 grams to 3 grams or about 1/4 to 1/2 of a teaspoon) of dried motherwort in about 5 ounces of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. The solid particles should be strained out and the somewhat bitter-tasting tea may be sweetened or flavored with other herbals such as ginger before drinking it. Usual recommendations are to drink one cup of motherwort tea three times a day.

 Motherwort is available commercially as an extract or in capsules and tablets. Frequently, it is sold in combination with other herbals as "Women's" or "Menopause" Formulas.

 Preparations:

 Motherwort is normally prepared by adding about 1 tsp of leaves to 1 cup (8 oz or 250 ml) of boiling water. The resulting infusion is taken twice a day. This infusion has a bitter and unpleasant taste. Honey, lemon, or other flavorings may be added to make its taste more acceptable. Motherwort is also available as a tincture. The normal dose is 1 ml (39 drops) three times a day.

 Precautions:

 Pregnant women should not take motherwort because of its effects on the uterus. Women who have heavy menstrual flow should also avoid motherwort. Anyone who has a heart disorder or who is taking any medication for a heart condition should consult a doctor before taking motherwort. People who are taking medication for thyroid disorders should also consult a doctor before using this herb.

 Patients suffering from blood deprivation due to yin deficiency, profuse menstruation or platycoria should avoid this herb. Parched Yi Mu Cao can be used to remove blood stasis and stop bleeding. However, the total alkaloids (active ingredient) of parched Yi Mu Cao will be lost by 36%.

 Safety:No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.

 Caution:

 Leonurus is a uterine stimulant and so should be avoided in pregnancy, although it may be used during labour. Stachydrine has the effect of hastening childbirth. Chinese research on L. heterophyllus has shown that decoctions of the plant are as effective as ergotamine in causing the uterus to contract after delivery. Contact with the plant may cause dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
 Avoid use during pregnancy. Due to its actions on the uterus, motherwort could cause a miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid taking it.

 Motherwort may reduce levels of thyroid hormone in individuals with overactive thyroid glands. Individuals who have thyroid conditions (low or high thyroid levels, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyrotoxicosis, and others) should not take motherwort because it may interfere with treatment.

 Side effects:Are there any side effects or interactions?

 Motherwort has a long history of use without any negative side effects being reported when the herb is taken internally as an infusion or tincture. However, some people break out in a rash when handling motherwort leaves.

 One source suggests that a single application of motherwort extract (concentration not reported) in excess of 3 grams may cause diarrhea, uterine bleeding, and stomach irritation. It should be avoided in pregnancy as large amounts may cause uterine contraction and potential miscarriage
 Motherwort may cause drowsiness.

 In single doses of 3,000 mg (3 grams) or more, motherwort has been associated with diarrhea and stomach irritation.

 Taking motherwort has increased sensitivity to natural and artificial sunlight for some individuals. Sunscreen should be used while motherwort is taken.Taking motherwort should be avoided by pregnant and breast-feeding women and individuals with thyroid conditions.

 Interactions:

 There has been little scientific study of the interaction of motherwort and pharmaceuticals. As noted above, however, people who are taking medications for heart, thyroid, or other serious medical conditions should consult a doctor before taking motherwort. The herb has been used in herbal mixtures for centuries without any known herbal interactions.

 Interactions with Prescription Drugs:

 When motherwort is used with prescription drugs that promote sleepiness, the effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in sedation or mental impairment. Prescription drugs that can cause sleepiness include:

 Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproic acid
 Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
 Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam
 Drugs for insomnia such as zaleplon and zolpidem
 Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, and nortriptyline

 Motherwort has an effect on the heart that is similar to the effect of digoxin, a drug used to increase the force of heartbeats and decrease the rate of heartbeats. If motherwort and digoxin are taken together, heartbeats may become too forceful or too slow, possibly causing dangerous changes in heart rhythm.

 Interactions with Non-prescription Drugs:

 The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine can be enhanced by taking motherwort at the same time. Diphenhydramine is contained in many non-prescription sleeping pills as well as in some cough and cold products, therefore caution should be used when taking these medications with motherwort because excessive drowsiness may result.

 Interactions with Herbal Products:

 Motherwort may cause excessive sedation if it is taken with other potentially sedating herbs such as:

 Catnip,Hops,Kava,St. John's Wort,Valerian

 If motherwort is taken at the same time as other herbs that also affect the heart, potentially dangerous changes in heart function may result. Some herbal products with heart effects are:

 European Mistletoe,Ginger (in large doses),Hawthorn,Panax Ginseng,Pleurisy Root,Squill

 Interactions with Foods:

 No interactions between motherwort and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using motherwort by mouth may result in increased drowsiness.

 Additional Comments:An important herb since Roman times, the name Leonurus is derived from a Greek word meaning lion's tail, describing the shaggy shape of the leaves. The ancient Greeks used motherwort to relieve anxiety in new mothers. Early herbals recommend the plant for 'wykked sperytis'. Culpeper said, 'There is no better herb to drive melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it and make the mind cheerful, blithe and merry. Chinese herbalists use the related species L. heterophyllus mainly for menstrual disorders, raised blood pressure, heart disease and conjunctivitis. The aerial parts (yi mu cao) are also used for eczema and sores, while the seeds (chong wei zi) are used for menstrual irregularities, and as a circulatory stimulant. They are also believed to act specifically on the liver, and are therefore especially effective on the eyes to 'brighten the vision'. A weak decoction of the seeds may be used in conjunctivitis, or sore and tired eyes.
 Motherwort Herb Extract Leonurus Cardiaca photo picture image

 Safety and Toxicity:

 Motherwort Raw Herb:LD50.Mice.IV.31.9g/kg.
 Motherwort alkaloids:Intravenous injection.Mice.LD.50.lethal dose,50 percent death.525~609.4 mg/kg.
 Motherwort alkaloids:Hypodermic Injection.Rabbit.30mg/kg.2 weeks.No toxici effects on food intake,defecate and body weight.

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Reference:

citations1.Common Motherwort Leonurus Cardiaca Motherwort Herb Extract.

last edit date:27th,May.2009.