The ancient Romans noticed the similarity of the apical leaves of this perennial herb with the tip of the lion's tail. They called it that - the lion's tail (Leonúrus). It grows in desert garbage places, hence the Russian apt name - motherwort. Distinctive features are a tetrahedral stem, at the top of which the leaves are tripartite, below - five-separated to half their length. Many motherwort is called heart grass. And this name was given to him not without reason. There is evidence that motherwort was used as a
cardiac remedy in the 15th century. Useful properties and contraindications of the plant are described in ancient and modern herbalists. Motherwort is included in phyto-collections, alcohol tincture is prepared from it, and released in the form of tablets made from dry, carefully ground raw materials. Official medicine also recognizes motherwort as a medicine.
Useful properties and contraindicationsGlycosides, low-toxic alkaloids (leonuridine, leonurin), tannins, flavonoids
(vitamin P, hyperoside, cosmosyin, quercitrin, quinqueloside, glucoramnoside and others), saponins, anthocyanins, vitamins A, C, E contain the plant. The chemical composition and properties of motherwort continue to be studied. Phytotherapists offer new medicinal fees, which include motherwort. Useful properties and contraindications of this plant are primarily associated with its
sedative (calming) effect (it is stronger than drugs from valerian root) and hypotensive effect (reduces blood pressure, heartbeat slows down). Therefore, motherwort preparations can not be used when:
- a person in work needs
concentration and a quick response to a change of action;
- hypotension (low blood pressure) or bradycardia (slow heart rate) is noted.
Medicinal substances of the plant increase urination, stop colic in the gastrointestinal tract, enhance menstruation, help with epilepsy, neuralgia, neurasthenia, hysteria, widespread vegetative-vascular dystonia, have a hypnotic effect (without getting used to the drug), reduce headache. The antihypertensive and sedative effects of motherwort preparations appear weeks after three regular doses. As a rule, a bitter motherwort acts, albeit slowly, but in the right direction. In pediatric practice with neurosis, neurasthenia and increased irritability, a motherwort can be assigned to a restless child. Useful properties and contraindications are always taken into account by the attending physician. Individual intolerance to motherwort preparations is possible, but in very rare cases.
What to use and how to take
For treatment, grass is needed - leafy tops during the full bloom in July-August. Of these, at home they make an infusion. Brew 4 tbsp. l freshly picked herbs (or dry 1 tbsp.) with a glass of boiling water, first heat the infusion for 15 minutes in a water bath in a bowl under the lid, then let it brew for 45 minutes, filter it - almost a glass of infusion is ready for use. This portion is enough for a day, if you divide it into 3 parts. You need to drink an hour before meals. You can buy a ready-made pharmacy tincture "Motherwort". How to take this drug is indicated in the annotation to it, the dosage usually depends on age.