Motherwort

Description

Five-lobed motherwort is a perennial herb with a four-sided erect pubescent branched stem. The leaves are opposite, palmate-five-divided, serrate-notched, dark green above, light green below. Flowers are small, double-edged, densely pubescent. The upper lip of the corolla is purple-pink, the lower lip is yellowish, with purple flecks. The flowers are collected in whorls in the axils of the upper leaves. Fruits are three-sided nuts. Height 40-100 cm

The time of flowering. Five-lobed motherwort flowering in June and August.

Distribution. Five-lobed motherwort is found in many places in the European part, in Western Siberia and Central Asia.

Habitat. Five-lobed motherwort grows on wasteland, slopes, cliffs, along roads, in gardens and near homes, Leonurus glaucescens -on shrub, ravines, near roads and in weeds.

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

The time of collection. During the flowering period.

Chemical composition

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

Application

Motherwort as a medicinal plant was known 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 coughing". Infusion and tincture of herbs act on the cardiovascular system, slow down the heart rate, increase the strength of heart contractions, reduce 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, increases menstruation, drives gases when they accumulate in the stomach and intestines, stops gastrointestinal colic, reduces and relieves pain, reduces and stops shortness of breath and heartbeat, improves the well-being of patients. Preparations of motherwort reduce headaches and, having a light hypnotic effect, improve sleep.

In folk medicine, motherwort is taken as a heart and calming agent. Decoction of roots is drunk as a hemostatic agent for various bleeding, and poultices of grass are used as an analgesic for aches. In German folk medicine, the infusion and tincture are used for palpitations, headaches, anemia, gastrointestinal colic, asthma treatment, shortness of breath, as a diuretic, and especially for painful menstruation and their delay. In scientific medicine, motherwort is used for cardiovascular neuroses, increased nervous excitability, and the initial stages of hypertension, cardiosclerosis, chest toad, myocarditis, heart defects and light forms of Graves ’ disease. It has a good effect on heart weakness that comes after the flu and other infectious diseases. With heart failure, motherwort reduces edema, increasing urination, with hypertension-lowers blood pressure, reduces headaches, and improves sleep and general well-being of patients.

In England it is recommended to use in patholesia, neuralgic pain, heart weakness and shortness of breath and in Romania in graves ' disease, and epilepsy. Motherwort grass is part of the soothing fees.

Method of application

1. 2 teaspoons of motherwort herb, infuse for 6-8 hours in 2 glasses of cooled boiled water, strain. Take 1/4 glass 3-4 times a day for 1/2 hour before meals.

2. 15 g of herbs infuse for 2 hours in 1 glass of boiling water in a closed container, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3-5 times a day for 1/2 hour before meals.

3. Alcohol tincture of motherwort (as well as tincture of Lily of the valley) take 20 to 30 drops with water 2 to 3 times a day for 1/2 hour before meals.

4. Grind the dry leaves into a powder. Take 0.5-1 g 4 times a day before meals.