Leonurus cardiaca 'Motherwort'

Lamiaceae: an upright, unbranched, variably downy perennial to 1m. It has a pungent smell and a historical association with midwifery. Found growing on verges and shady hedgerows and waste ground, usually close to habitation. The flowers are small, pink or white, in whorls, from July-September. The leaves are long-stalked and palmately lobed. Found naturalised in a few scatted locations across the Britain. Native to Central Asia and south-eastern Europe.

USES:

The fresh or dried flowers can be used as a flavouring in soups, particularly lentil or split pea. They are also used as a flavouring in beer. Fresh or dried flowers can be used to make an herbal tea.

Motherwort is especially valuable in the treatment of female weaknesses and disorders, allaying nervous irritability, inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system. It is also seen as a remedy for heart palpitations, it has a strengthening effect, especially on a weak heart. The antispasmodic and sedative effects promote relaxation rather than drowsiness. The leaves are antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic and uterine stimulant. They are taken internally in the treatment of heart complaints (notably palpitations) and problems associated with menstruation, childbirth and menopause, especially of nervous origin. Although an infusion can be used, the taste is so bitter that the plant is usually made into a conserve or syrup. An alcoholic extract is said to possess superior action to valerian (Valeriana officinalis). The plant has been found effective in the treatment of functional heart complaints due to autonomic imbalance, and also as an anti-thyroid treatment, though it needs to be taken for several months for these effects to be noticed. The whole herb is harvested in August when in flower and can be dried for later use. It should not be prescribed in the earlier stages of pregnancy or where periods are heavy.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Easy.

HARVESTED: 2022

APPROX. 200+ SEEDS