The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that Motherwort treated all matters of the heart from lovesickness to cardiac arrest (hence the botanical name roughly translated to Lion‘s Heart).
There is little evidence that Motherwort or Heartwort as it is often called, has any beneficial effect on heart disease although there may be recent Chinese studies that show an indication that this herb may have some ability to relax cells and therefore the heart cells too.
The plant grows wild all over Europe and Asia and all of the plant is harvested and used.
It is used for: sedative, insomania, anxiety, diaphoretic, irritability.
Leourine: Encourages uterine contractions. Assists in childbirth. Pregnant women should not take this substance as it could induce labor. It is not an aid to fertility, in fact the tendency to contract the uterus may have a slight contraceptive effect.
Iridoids. Iridoids are the most bitter compound found in plants. These bitter compounds stimulate release of bile flow in the gut as well as stimulating digestive secretion. Iridoids are anti-inflammatory (not as strong as in other constituents, iridoids have some anti-inflammatory effects but should not be used purely for this purpose), hypotensive and febrifuge. Some iridoids are laxative and antimicrobial.
Diterpenes: A bitter tasting terpenoid used widely as a stomachic. Diterpenes are believed to help with hypertension and respiratory tract complaints such as catarrh bronchitis and colds. Some diterpenes are believed to have tumour inhibitor properties as well as a stimulating effect on the immune system.
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and yellow/red pigmentation in flowers.
Laboratory experiments have been conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a component of this herb.
Typical Extracts Specification:
Product Name: motherwort extract
Typical Specification: 10:1 20:1 4% iridoids
Part Used: whole herb
Care: Keep in sandy soil that is well drained. Potted plants need filtered sun or full shade
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