Motherwort

Motherwort.  Leonurus cardiaca.  In European herbalism, this plant is recommended as a tonic for women’s health, to soothe a nervous, palpitating heart, and bring on the courage of a lion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as Yu mi cao and featured in longevity formulas.   A tale is told of a big patch of motherwort that grew on the banks of a stream by a remote little town. The townspeople drank from this stream and lived for over a hundred years. 
The deep grooves in motherwort’s leaves mark it early in spring.  As the stalk grows, the leaves thin and sharpen and look a bit like forked snake tongues.  By mid summer tiny, tender purple blooms appear at the leaf axils, and spiny seed pods prick the fingers. This is the time for harvesting.  All the aerial parts are used–leaves, flowers and stalks. 
This is a very bitter herb, good tinctured in brandy to improve the taste.  According to Maud Grieves, there is “no better herb for strengthening and gladdening the heart.” I am a big fan of Motherwort and include it in Lonely Worm Farm’s menopause and calming tinctures.