Motherwort European (Leonurus cardiaca): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does motherwort work on the heart?

Motherwort contains leonurine and alkaloids that act as mild cardiac tonics, helping regulate heart rhythm and strengthen contractions. The iridoid glycosides contribute calming effects on the nervous system, which can reduce palpitations triggered by anxiety. Stachydrine provides uterine-stimulating properties. Evidence Level: C, based primarily on traditional use and preliminary pharmacological studies rather than large clinical trials.

Can I take motherwort with blood thinners or other medications?

Motherwort should be avoided if taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin, as it may increase bleeding risk. It may also interact with thyroid medications and is contraindicated in hypothyroidism. Due to its sedative properties, motherwort can enhance the effects of CNS depressants, including alcohol and benzodiazepines. Evidence Level: C. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining herbs with prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage for motherwort?

For adults, the typical dosage is 2-4ml of motherwort tincture or 1.5-3g of dried herb taken as a tea, three times daily. This traditional dosing is based on historical use rather than clinical trials. For heart palpitations or anxiety, the lower end of the range is often sufficient. Evidence Level: C. Start with the lowest effective dose and consult a qualified herbalist for personalized guidance.

Is motherwort safe during pregnancy?

No, motherwort is unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains stachydrine and other compounds that stimulate uterine contractions, which may cause miscarriage or premature labor. Historically, motherwort was used to induce menstruation and support childbirth, making it inappropriate during pregnancy. Evidence Level: C. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should avoid motherwort entirely.

What is motherwort used for in herbal medicine?

Motherwort is traditionally used as a cardiac and uterine tonic. It's primarily indicated for heart palpitations, especially those linked to anxiety or emotional stress. As a women's herb, it helps regulate menstrual cycles and ease menstrual discomfort. Its calming properties make it useful for anxiety, particularly when heart symptoms accompany nervous tension. Evidence Level: C, based primarily on traditional European herbal medicine applications.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial herb used traditionally for nervous heart conditions, digestive disorders, and gynecological afflictions [PMID:23042598, PMID:31119169].

Background

Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial plant indigenous to central Europe and Scandinavia, also found in temperate Russia, central Asia, and North America [PMID:23042598]. The herb consists of aerial parts gathered during the flowering period [PMID:23042598].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used internally for nervous heart conditions, digestive disorders, bronchial asthma, climacteric symptoms, and amenorrhoea, and externally for wounds [PMID:23042598]. It has also been used as a cardiotonic and for treating dysmenorrhea, menopausal anxiety, and postpartum depression [PMID:31119169].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include flavonoids (such as hyperoside, catechin, and rutin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, and rosmarinic acids), ellagic acid, monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, nitrogen-containing compounds, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils, sterols, tannins, and polysaccharides [PMID:23042598, PMID:33503956, PMID:39472158, PMID:42279633]. Stachydrine is also found in L. cardiaca [PMID:23923634].

Clinical evidence

Evidence APostpartum hemorrhage (PPH) prevention

Motherwort injection, alone or combined with oxytocin, is used to prevent PPH after vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and induced abortion [PMID:29882344, PMID:31354850, PMID:35935833, PMID:40527062].

Evidence APost-partum blood loss

Add-on therapy of motherwort injection to carboprost tromethamine significantly reduced post-partum blood loss at 2h and 24h [PMID:30288846].

Evidence DBlood hyperviscosity

Intravenous administration of motherwort (Leonurus Heterophyllus Sweet) showed improvement in hemorheology, decreasing blood viscosity and fibrinogen volume [PMID:2589238].

Safety & adverse effects

In a case report of hepatitis, motherwort was part of a herbal remedy containing mistletoe; however, mistletoe was identified as the probable cause of the illness [PMID:6779941].

Pregnancy & lactation

Motherwort injection is used in clinical practice for the prevention of uterine hemorrhage during and after delivery and abortion [PMID:29882344, PMID:35935833, PMID:40527062].

Evidence summary

Strong evidence (Meta-analyses/SRs) exists for the use of motherwort injections in preventing postpartum hemorrhage, primarily based on L. japonicus. Evidence for L. cardiaca specifically is largely based on traditional use and phytochemical reviews.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 23042598 (2013) — Leonurus cardiaca L. (motherwort): a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
2.PMID: 40527062 (2025) — Motherwort synergized with oxytocin for postpartum hemorrhage prevention: Integrated clinical efficacy and mechanism exploration. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3.PMID: 33503956 (2021) — Phytochemical and Psychotropic Research of Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.) Modified Dry Extracts. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 35935833 (2022) — Motherwort Injection for Preventing Uterine Hemorrhage in Women With Induced Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evidence. · Frontiers in pharmacology
5.PMID: 29882344 (2018) — Motherwort injection for preventing postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women with cesarean section: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Motherwort European

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Motherwort European

Piscidia piscipula

Zizyphus Jujube Seed

Bai He

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Pregnancy & lactation

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Motherwort European

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Motherwort European

Related Herbs

Piscidia piscipula

Zizyphus Jujube Seed

Bai He

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Pregnancy & lactation

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources