Leonurus japonicus
Leonurus japonicus, commonly known as Motherwort, is a perennial herb cherished in traditional medicine for its calming properties. Renowned for supporting cardiovascular health and regulating menstrual cycles, this potent plant contains bioactive compounds that alleviate anxiety and promote emotional balance, making it a staple in herbal healing practices worldwide.
- Scientific name: Leonurus japonicus
- 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 the 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, Leonurus japonicus, is known by various common names across different regions and languages. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the Cantonese dialect used in Hong Kong (zh-hk), it is referred to as 益母草. In Vietnam, it is commonly called Ích mẫu, while in Korea, its name is 익모초.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 益母草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 益母草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 益母草 | Wikidata |
| vi | Ích mẫu | Wikidata |
| ko | 익모초 | Wikidata |
| zh | 益母草 | Wikidata |
| th | เอียะบ้อเช่า | Wikidata |
| ja | メハジキ | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 益母草 | Wikidata |
| cs | srdečník japonský | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and ocean regions. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. The species also extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically reaching Cape Verde. Furthermore, its range includes remote locations within the Middle Atlantic Ocean. These specific areas include the islands of both Ascension and St. Helena.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | Ascension | WCVP |
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | St.Helena | WCVP |
| Siberia | Buryatiya | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Leonurus japonicus, possesses several distinct morphological features that contribute to its medicinal profile. The most commonly utilized portion is the aerial parts, which include the stems and leaves. Upon closer inspection of the foliage, one can observe specialized peltate glandular trichomes that often contain the plant's bioactive compounds. Below the surface, the specimen develops a system of normal roots that anchor the plant and facilitate nutrient uptake, although specific medicinal preparations may sometimes focus on the root itself. Additionally, the plant produces a seed that ensures the continuation of its life cycle through reproduction.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 16
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peltate glandular trichomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| normal roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fresh leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Leonurus japonicus has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include leonurine, stachydrine, 10-Methoxy-leonurine, Leonuketal, Luteolin-7-methylether.
- Total chemicals
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leonurine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stachydrine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-Methoxy-leonurine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leonuketal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Luteolin-7-methylether | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MN | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bergapten | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 12 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 7 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarin 1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Leonurus japonicus has 11 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Cardioprotective, Antihyperglycemic.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Contraceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Leonurus japonicus has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include postpartum hemorrhage, dysmenorrhea, inflammation, myocardial infarction, wound healing.
- Total uses
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| postpartum hemorrhage | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dysmenorrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myocardial infarction | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NAFLD | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ralstonia solanacearum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |