Description

Botanical name: Leonurus cardiaca

Origin: Eastern Europe

Herb of the heart

Motherwort is so-called because it is considered to be the “mother” of all worts, the Old English term for herbaceous plants with remedial qualities or that provide fermentation for beer-making. Also known as lion’s tail, lion’s ear and heartwort, motherwort has a long history of use as a tonic herb and, as one ancient writer has suggested, as protection against “wykked sperytis.” The presence of alkaloids in the plant that may act on the heart necessitates caution with using this herb internally unless under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner experienced in its use.