Herb library · Herb · Leonurus cardiaca
Motherwort
A bitter, square-stemmed plant of the mint family, long tied to the heart: its old Latin name is Cardiaca. In the EU it is accepted, on the basis of long use, for nervous tension and a nervous, pounding heart once a doctor has ruled out anything serious. Research in people is one small, uncontrolled study.
Traditional use
European herbalists used it for the heart and nerves, and for childbirth and menstrual complaints, which gave it its English name. King's American Dispensatory (1905) describes its use as a warm infusion for delayed periods and for nervousness and poor sleep. In the EU it is registered as a traditional herbal medicine for nervous tension and for nervous heart complaints such as palpitations, in adults, after serious conditions have been excluded.
What studies show
- Insufficient
Nervous tension and palpitations: accepted in the EU on the basis of traditional use only; there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials.
- Insufficient
High blood pressure with anxiety and poor sleep: one 28-day study gave 50 patients a motherwort oil extract and reported lower blood pressure and less anxiety in many of them, but there was no comparison group and the EMA says firm conclusions cannot be drawn.
Be careful of
Cautions
- PregnancyDo not take it during pregnancy (EMA). Safety during breastfeeding has not been established.
- ConditionPalpitations need a doctor first: EU products are only for use after serious heart conditions have been excluded. See a doctor if symptoms last more than 4 weeks or get worse.
- NoteFor adults only. No side effects had been reported when the EMA assessed it, but it may impair the ability to drive: do not drive or use machinery if affected.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“Venus owns the herb, and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it, and make a merry, chearful blithe soul than this herb. It may be kept in a syrup or conserve; therefore the Latins called it Cardiaca.”
Sources
- Motherwort: summary for the public (EMA) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Community herbal monograph on Leonurus cardiaca L., herba (EMA/HMPC/127428/2010) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Leonuri cardiacae herba - herbal medicinal product (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Effect of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in patients with arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders (Phytother Res, 2011) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.