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Overview: Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is an herbal plant in the mint family. People often take motherwort to help with heart palpitations, anxiety, and menstrual or menopausal symptoms, but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include diarrhea, drowsiness, and stomach problems. Before taking motherwort, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is motherwort used for?

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is commonly used for heart-related symptoms and women’s health concerns, but the benefits are not well defined. People may use motherwort to help with the following.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed motherwort for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does motherwort work (mechanism of action)?

Motherwort is an herb in the mint family called Leonurus cardiaca. The aboveground parts of the plant, such as the leaves, stems, and flowers, are used to make supplements.

Motherwort contains several chemicals that may affect the body, including alkaloids such as leonurine, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds are thought to have mild calming effects on the nervous system and may affect heart rhythm. Motherwort might also have stimulating effects on the uterus.

However, the benefits of motherwort are not well defined. Some research suggests it may have mild sedative properties that could help with anxiety or sleep problems. It is also thought to have effects on the heart that may help with palpitations, but this has not been well studied in humans.

Herbal products, such as motherwort, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific motherwort product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store motherwort?

You should store motherwort according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of motherwort?

The most common side effects of motherwort are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomach problems

There may be side effects of motherwort that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of motherwort?

While less common, the most serious side effects of motherwort are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Motherwort may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking motherwort and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use motherwort?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take motherwort.

  • Leonurus cardiaca
  • Lion’s ear
  • Lion’s tail
  • Motherwort
  • Throw-wort
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific motherwort products they stock.

What should I know about motherwort before using it?

Motherwort is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Motherwort is available in several forms. Common forms include capsules, tablets, teas, tinctures, and liquid extracts. Products containing motherwort may also contain other ingredients. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep motherwort out of the reach of children.

Motherwort can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how motherwort affects you.

Herbal products, such as motherwort, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific motherwort product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year it was harvested, and the way it was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested motherwort products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using motherwort?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if motherwort is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Thyroid problems
  • Planned surgery

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking motherwort, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Motherwort might have stimulating effects on the uterus, so it is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if motherwort passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does motherwort interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between motherwort and foods or drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking motherwort may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as drowsiness.

Does motherwort interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking motherwort.

  • A medicine for high blood pressure
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (anti-arrhythmic)
  • A medicine or supplement that can cause dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety

The interactions between motherwort and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with motherwort is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking motherwort with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much motherwort?

If you or someone else has used too much motherwort, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Motherwort is available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, teas, and liquid extracts. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use motherwort safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.