Leonurus cardiaca

Leonurus cardiaca, commonly known as motherwort, is a perennial herb cherished in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its calming properties, it is frequently used to soothe anxiety, palpitations, and nervous tension. This potent botanical serves as a gentle tonic for emotional balance and supports cardiovascular health through its sedative effects.

  • Scientific name: Leonurus cardiaca
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Leonurus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Leonurus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Leonurus cardiaca, is recognized by various traditional names across different cultures and languages. In Poland, it is called serdecznik pospolity, while in France, it is commonly referred to as agripaume. Estonian speakers call it lääne-südamerohi, and in Germany, the species is known as echtes herzgespann. Additionally, in the Bashkir language, it is identified as арыҫлан ҡойроғо.
Language Common Name Source
pl Serdecznik pospolity Wikidata
fr Agripaume Wikidata
et lääne-südamerohi Wikidata
de Echtes Herzgespann Wikidata
ba Арыҫлан ҡойроғо Wikidata
hsb Prawa křižowka Wikidata
sv Hjärtstilla Wikidata
nl Hartgespan Wikidata
ar ذنب الأسد القلبي Wikidata
sk Srdcovník obyčajný Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as motherwort, exhibits a specific distribution across Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends northward into the territories of Norway and Sweden. The species also inhabits the coastal and inland regions of Great Britain. Finally, it completes its northern range by appearing within the borders of Finland.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Leonurus cardiaca and commonly referred to as motherwort, is primarily utilized for its therapeutic properties derived from its various botanical components. The most common medicinal application involves the use of a concentrated herb extract, which is typically prepared from the aerial parts of the plant, including the leaves and flowering stems. This herb extract contains the active alkaloids and flavonoids necessary to support cardiovascular and nervous system health, making the whole plant a vital resource in traditional herbal medicine.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
herb extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leonurus cardiaca 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Leonurus cardiaca has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, leonurine, rutin, Leonurine.

Total chemicals
25
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
chlorogenic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperoside 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leonurine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Leonurine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
alanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arginine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cadmium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
caffeic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Leonurus cardiaca has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Uterotonic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Cardioprotective.

Total activities
9
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Uterotonic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cardioprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cardiotonic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Emmenagogue 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Free-Radical Scavenging 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Tonic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Leonurus cardiaca has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anxiety, cardiovascular diseases, apoptosis, blood circulation, heart diseases.

Total uses
16
Scientific sources
18

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
anxiety 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 2 ★☆☆☆☆
apoptosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
blood circulation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
heart diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
heart failure 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypotension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ischemia-reperfusion injury 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neuroprotection 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative damage 1 ★☆☆☆☆