Description

English Nameï&frac*4;šMotherwort extract Botanical Originï&frac*4;šLeonurus Heterophyllus Sweet Specificationsï&frac*4;š*0ï&frac*4;…ï&frac*4;Œ*5ï&frac*4;…ï&frac*4;Œ*0ï&frac*4;… Introduction: Motherwort is best known for its use in conditions affecting women. It contains chemicals that affect the uterus in several ways, including the promotion of menstrual blood flow. It has been used to start delayed periods and, if taken on a continual basis, it may help abnormal menstrual cycles to become more regular. Due to antispasmodic effects, motherwort may also help to restore uterine muscle tone after the birth of a baby. An antispasmodic lessens or prevents muscle cramps. Motherwort may also have relaxing effects on the nervous system, making it potentially useful for relieving both the physical symptoms (such as bloating and cramps) and the emotional symptoms (such as irritability) of premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Motherwort has also been used to treat irregular heartbeat. Although the exact reasons for this possible effect are not known, chemicals in motherwort may exert a regulating effect on the heartbeat it also may cause blood vessels to relax, possibly improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. In studies of laboratory animals, motherwort has reduced blood pressure and slowed heartbeats that are too fast. It may be particularly effective when heart rhythm speeds up due to nervousness. The early Greeks gave motherwort to pregnant women suffering from anxiety. This use continued and gave the herb the name mother wort, or “mother’s herb.” Its other prominent action is on the heart, giving it the species name cardiaca or the Greek kardiaca, or heart. Leonurus comes from the Greek leon for “lion” and ouros for “tail”, as the plant was thought to resemble the tail of a lion. There is an old tale about a town whose water source is a stream flowing through banks of motherwort. Many of the townspeople lived to be **0 years old and recall one who reportedly lived to **0 years. In ancient China, motherwort was reputed to promote longevity. In Europe, motherwort first became known as a treatment for cattle diseases. Colonists introduced motherwort into North America and the *9th century Eclectics recommended it as a menstruation promoter and aid to expelling the afterbirth. They did not consider it a heart remedy at all. The Cherokees used the herb as a sedative for nervous afflictions. In the Victorian Language of Flowers it symbolizes concealed love.