Latin Name
Leonurus heterophyllus

General Description
In a literal translation of its Chinese name, yi mu cao, motherwort means "benefit mother herb," and indeed the leaves are popular among Chinese women as a treatment for menstrual difficulties. When seeking the best variety, look for thin stems and pure green coloring. In traditional Chinese medicine, motherwort is classified as acrid, bitter and slightly cold.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Irregular menstruation or light menstrual flow, premenstrual abdominal pain, uterine fibroids, postpartum abdominal pain and infertility.
  
• Difficulty in urinating and edema (swelling caused by retention of fluids), particularly when accompanied by blood in the urine.

Preparations
Chinese motherwort is available as leaves or powder in Chinese pharmacies, Asian food markets and some Western health food stores.
Combinations: The herb is often mixed with red peony root, dong quai and aucklandia to regulate the appropriate timing of the menstrual cycle and alleviate the pain and discomfort of menstruation. Herbalists prescribe a combination with imperata to treat edema associated with the kidney disease nephritis. And a mixture containing Chinese motherwort, polygonati, pyrrosia leaves and musk mallow seeds is used to treat kidney stones and bloody urine. Check with a Chinese medicine practitioner for information on dosages and additional combinations.

Special Information

• WARNING: Do not use this herb if you are pregnant. In laboratory trials it has caused rabbits to miscarry.
  
• In a clinical test, the herb seemed effective in causing the uterus to contract after childbirth.
  
• The seeds of this plant also are thought to have medicinal properties. They are used for certain types of uterine bleeding.