European Motherwort Herb is the only British plant of the genus Leonurus altough it is a native of many parts of Europe, on banks and under hedges, in a gravelly or calcareous soil.

It is frequently found in country gardens, where it was formerly grown for medicinal purposes, but it is rare to find it truly wild in England, and by some authorities it is not considered indigenous, but merely a garden escape.

It is also known by a multitude of names such as Throw-wort, Lion’s Ear, and Lion’s Tail,Agripalma, Agripaume, Agripaume Cardiaque, Cardiaire, Cardiaque, Cheneuse, Chinese Motherwort, Creneuse, Herbe Piquante, Herbe des Tonneliers, Leonuri cardiacae herba, Leonurus, Leonurus artemisia, Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus cardica.

In China it is known as Chong Wei Zi

Constituents of European Motherwort Herb:-

Chemical components identified in Motherwort Herb include iridoids, leonurin, bitter principle and bitter glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, rutin, tannin, essential oil, resin, and organic acids. It is spicy but bitter.

Traditional Uses of European Motherwort Herb:-

Its traditional use is as a heart tonic. It promotes blood circulation, helps with arteriosclerosis and dissolving blood clots, and resultant symptoms of heart dysfunction including angina, palpitations and heart neuralgia.

Since it also has nervine properties, it has been used for treating various neurotic conditions as well as hysteria, convulsions and insomnia. Its emmenagogic- or menses-promoting powers made it historically useful to ancient Chinese courtesans who called it IMU.