Motherwort (damong maria in tagalog)

(Leonurus cardiac) Part used: Tops. Properties: Emmenagogue, nervine, tonic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, laxative. What it affects: Nerves, heart and uterus.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, motherwort is most commonly used for nervous heart problems and for stomach gas and cramps. For this purposes, a good combination is equal parts of motherwort, cramp bark and calendula. It relieves childbirth pain and is excellent for suppressed menstruation and other female problems, including amenorrhea. It is a good tonic for the heart and may be combines with hawthorn berries for an effective heart tonic and antispasmodic. This can be used to prevent heart attack and treat palpitations, pericarditis and neuralgia. It is good for all nervous conditions, sleeplessness, convulsions, neuritis, neuralgia and hysteria. It is used for shortness of breath, goiter, and congestion of respiratory passage. It is also used for menopausal symptoms and vaginitis. It is used for headache, thyroid, insomnia, vertigo, fevers, rheumatism, and suppressed urine. In general, it has similar properties to valerian, and can be used like it.

Warning: Contact with the plant may cause dermatitis in some individuals.