Leonurus cardiaca Health Dictionary

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Leonurus Cardiaca: From 1 Different Sources

Linn.

Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the warmer parts of India.

Ayurvedic: Granthiparni, Kaaka- puchha.

Folk: Gathivan, Deepamaal (Maharashtra).

Action: Leaves—spasmolytic. Ash of flower head—applied to burns and scalds, in ringworm and other skin diseases.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the root in cough, bronchitis and dyspnoea.

The root contains n-octacosanol, n-octacosanoic acid, quercetin, 4,6,7- trimethoxy-5-methylchromene-2-one, campesterol and beta-sitosterol-beta- D-glucopyranoside.

The plant contains 4,6,7-trimethoxy- 5-methyl-chromene-2-one.

The leaves contain neptaefolin, nep- taefuran, neptaefuranol, neptaefolinol, leonitin, neptaefolinin and (-)-55, 6- octadecadienoic acid.

The seed oil contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids. The fatty

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe; also distributed in Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

English: Common Motherwort, Lion's Tail.

Unani: Baranjaasif. (Also equated with Artemesia vulgaris Linn; and Achillea millifolium Linn.)

Action: Stomachic, laxative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, em- menagogue (used in absent or painful menstruation, premenstrual tension, menopausal flushes). Hypnotic, sedative. Used as a cardiac tonic. (Studies in China have shown that Motherwort extracts show antiplatelet aggregation actions and decrease the levels of blood lipids.)

Key application: In nervous cardiac disorders and as adjuvant for thyroid hyperfunction. (German Commission E.) As antispasmodic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) The British Herbal Compendium indicated its use for patients who have neuropathic cardiac disorders and cardiac complaints of nervous origin.

The plant contains diterpene bitter principles, iridoid monoterpenes, flavonoids including rutin and querci- trin, leonurin, betaine, caffeic acid derivatives, tannins and traces of a volatile oil.

The herb is a slow acting adjuvant in functional and neurogenic heart diseases. Its sedative and spasmolytic properties combine well with Valeriana officinalis or other cardioactive substances.

The herb contains several components with sedative effects—alpha- pinene, benzaldehyde, caryophyllene, limonene and oleanolic acid. (Sharon M. Herr.)

Habitat: Western Europe. Seeds are imported into India from Persia.

English: Pepper-Grass.

Unani: Bazr-ul-khumkhum, Todari (white var.).

Action: Seeds—blood purifier; prescribed in bronchitis.

The fatty acid of the oil are: oleic 12.9, linoleic 47.87, linolenic 5.43, erucic 31.97, stearic 0.54 and palmitic 1.22%.

The seed mucilage on hydrolysis gave galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid.

Flowering tops and seeds contain a bitter principle, lepidin.

The plant yield a sulphur-containing volatile oil.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Achillea Millefolium

Linn.

Synonym: A. lanulosa Nutt.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: The western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

English: Milfoil, Yarrow, Thousand Leaf.

Unani: Biranjaasif. National Formulary of Unani Medicine also equates Leonurus cardica Linn. (Labiatae) with Biranjaasif.

Folk: Gandana, Rojmari.

Action: Anti-inflammatory, anti- spasmodic (used in cold, flatulent colic, heartburn), emmenagogue, cicatrizant, antidysenteric, anti- haemorrhagic, antipyretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic.

Key application: In dyspeptic ailments, such as mild, spastic discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. As astringent, antispasmodic, choleretic, antibacterial. (German Commission E.) As diaphoretic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Internally for feverish conditions, common cold and digestive complaints; topically for slow-healing wounds and skin inflammations. (The British Herbal Compendium.)

The plant contains flavonoids, alkaloids (achilleine), polyacetylenes, triterpenes, coumarins, tannins, salicylic acid, a volatile oil containing linalool, camphor, sabinene, chamazu- lene and other azulenes.

Sesquiterpene lactones are bitter and tonic. Achilleine helps arrest internal and external bleeding. Flavonoids contribute to the antispasmodic action.

The flavonoid apigenin is anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and spasmolytic. Alkaloids and bases are anti- inflammatory. Alkaloid betoncine is haemostatic. Salicylic acid is anti- inflammatory. Chamazulene is anti- inflammatory and antiallergenic. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

An extract of the plant was found to be rich in luteolin or luteolin 7- glucoside and can be used for the treatment of hyperpigmentation of skin.... achillea millefolium

Motherwort Tea Benefits

If you’re a fan of herbal teas, you have to try motherwort tea. Although it has a pretty bitter taste, it helps you stay healthy thanks to its many health benefits. Find out more about motherwort tea and its main ingredient. About Motherwort Tea The main ingredient of the motherwort tea is the motherwort plant. The motherwort is an herbaceous perennial plant, belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It has square stem and opposite leaves with serrated margins. During summer, small, pink to lilac flowers bloom in leaf axils on the upper part of the plant. It comes from Middle Asia, although now it grows in places all around the world. The plant’s binomial name is Leonurus cardiac. The word “leonurus” is a combination of the Latin “leo”, which means lion, and the Greek “oura”, meaning tail. Because of this, it is also known as Throw-wort, Lion’s Ear, and Lion’s Tail. The name of the species, “cardiaca”, comes from the Greek word “kardiaca”, which means heart. How to prepare Motherwort Tea It’s easy to prepare a cup of motherwort tea. To each cup, add one teaspoon of the dried herb. Let it steep for about 10 minutes before removing the leaves. If you’ve got a problem with the bitter taste, you can try to sweeten it. Add sugar, honey, and/or lemon to your cup of motherwort tea, and mix well. You can also improve its flavor by mixing it with other types of herbal beverages. Motherwort Tea Benefits A cup of this tea brings many health benefits thanks to its main ingredient. Among motherwort’s constituents, there are alkaloids, glycosides, essential oils, tannins, and vitamin A. Because of this, the plant has been used for centuries as a herb in traditional medicine in Europe, Asia and North America. First of all, motherwort tea has two health benefits which are related to the plant’s name: one is for women after giving birth, while the other is related to heart problems. It isn’t recommended to drink motherwort tea during pregnancy, but it is good to drink it after you give birth. You can even drink it during labor, as it will ease the pain and help you relax; it is also thought that it reduces the risk of getting post partum depression. Drinking it regularly after you’ve given birth can help stimulate the uterus to contract; this way, it prevents uterine infections. This type of teais also good for your heart. It helps normalize the heart functions by lowering blood lipid levels and high blood pressure. As a cardiac tonic, it works as a hypotensive, sedative, and antispasmodic. It helps calm heart palpitations. Motherwort tea is helpful if you need to regulate your menstruation, and it is also used also used to ease insomnia, menopausal problems, stomach gas and cramping. It is useful when it comes to treating thyroid hyperfunction, and can work as a mild tranquilizer for anxiety. Motherwort tea Side Effects Although it has many health benefits, don’t forget that motherwort tea has also a few side effects. Despite its important role after child delivery, you should keep in mind that it’s not good to drink motherwort tea during pregnancy. As it is used to regulate menstruation, during pregnancy, it might cause bleeding and even miscarriages. You should avoid drinking motherwort tea if you’re taking anti-coagulants or are experiencing a heavy menstrual flow. It will only cause more bleeding. Also, if you drink this tea for a longer period of time, be careful when you’re out in the sun. You might become more prone to getting sunburn. In this case, make sure that you’re wearing sunscreen when going outside, especially if you’re at the seaside. Motherwort tea might cause drowsiness, as well. Avoid drinking it if you know you need to stay focused on something. Also, if you take any medicine that causes drowsiness as a side effect, drinking this type of tea will only make it worse. Lastly, don’t drink more than six cups of motherwort tea a day. This applies to other types of tea, as well. If you drink too much tea, you might get the following side effects: headaches, dizziness, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Despite its bitter taste, don’t give up on motherwort tea. It is very good for your health, and it helps you a lot especially after giving birth. Just sweeten it and you’re free to enjoy a cup of tea full of many health benefits!... motherwort tea benefits

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca L. German: Herzgespann. French: Agripaume. Spanish: Agripalma. Italian: Cardiaca. Chinese: T’ui. Part used: herb.

Constituents: flavonoids, iridoids including rutin, diterpenes.

Action: antispasmodic, laxative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, vaso-constrictor. (Simon Mills) Nerve and heart sedative. Hypotensive. Action similar to Valerian. (Dr Rudolf F. Weiss) Cardiotonic.

Uses: angina on effort, simple uncomplicated heart conditions to enhance exercise duration; tachycardia from hyperactive thyroid, hypertension, absent or painful menstruation (hence its name), menopausal flushes, schizophrenic tendency, pre-menstrual tension.

“Drink Motherwort tea and live to be a source of continuous astonishment and frustration to waiting heirs.” (Old saying)

Not given in pregnancy.

Combines well with Vervain (equal parts) for relaxing nervine.

Practitioner combinations: Menstrual disorders, equal parts: Black Cohosh, Cramp bark, Motherwort. Heart disorders: Motherwort 1; Hawthorn 1; Lily of the Valley half.

Benzodiazepine addiction to assist withdrawal: equal parts, Motherwort, Skullcap and Valerian. Infusions, extracts or tinctures.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea: 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Tea combination: equal parts, Motherwort, Balm and Lime flowers. 2 teaspoons to cup boiling water: infuse 15 minutes, 1 cup thrice daily. Angina and heart symptoms – to ameliorate.

Liquid Extract: 1:1, 25 per cent alcohol. Dose: 2-4ml (30-60 drops).

Tincture: 1:5, 25 per cent alcohol. Dose: 5-10ml (1-2 teaspoons).

Powders. 2 to 4g.

Tablets/capsules. Popular combination. Powdered extract Motherwort 4:1 – 50mg. Powdered Passion flower BHP (1983) – 90mg. Powdered extract Lime flowers 3:1 – 67mg. For a calming and sedating effect in stressful situations and insomnia. (Gerard House)

Note: Motherwort needs to be taken for weeks. ... motherwort


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