Motherwort Motherwort( Leonurus cardiaca)

No one knows exactly where the homemade motherwort is in Eastern Europe or Central Asia. In Europe, it is widespread almost everywhere. Motherwort is a honey-bearer, pollinated by bumblebees. People often call it heart gold or a lion's tail.

Description

A perennial plant reaching a height of 1 m. Of a short rhizome, several upright branched hard stems are formed - tetrahedral, grooved, inside hollow, often reddish-violet. The leaves on the petioles are located opposite, glandular-dissected, the upper ones - only three-lobed. Leaves are densely pubescent. The small pale-red bicuspid flowers are collected in false whorls. Blooms from July to August. Composition: contains bitter glycosides, alkaloids, essential oils( in trace amounts), flavonoids, saponins, provitamin A, ascorbic acid and tannins.

Cultivation of

Pretty heat-loving plant. Loves sunny and spacious areas, nutrient-rich soil, planted with an interval of 40-50 cm, cuts in autumn. Breeding is carried out by sowing in spring or dividing bushes with subsequent planting of chunks in autumn.

Collection

During flowering, only flowering tips of shoots are collected, dried and used as a component of teas, harvesting is possible several times a year. The collected grass is tied into bundles, suspended and dried in the air in the shade.

Medicinal properties of

The pharmacological activity of motherwort preparations is explained by the presence in its composition of a whole complex of compounds. Tincture, tea and alcohol extract of herb Leonurus have a strong sedative effect, superior to a similar effect of valerian. Motherwort depresses the functions of the central nervous system, normalizes the activity of the autonomic nervous system, slows the rhythm of the heartbeat, slightly lowers blood pressure.

Application of

Along with Valerian Leonurus is used for cardiovascular neurosis, hypertension and angina. Due to the strong sedation of the motherwort, he is recommended for increased nervous excitability, neurasthenia, disturbances in sleep functions. Together with the root of valerian, Leonurus is included in the soothing tea. A motherwort tincture takes 40 drops before bedtime as a sedative. The medical effect of the motherwort appears slowly, so you should carefully choose the dosage so that there are no symptoms of depression.