Motherwort powdered tops – Leonurus cardiaca

Ground into a fine powder, the flowering tops of motherwort concentrate the active compounds of this traditional plant. It is strictly reserved for pharmaceutical use and must be handled with care. Its ground form allows for easy use in regulated dosage forms (capsules, extracts, magistral preparations).

Description

A robust plant of the Lamiaceae family, motherwort grows in humid, sunny environments in Europe and temperate Asia. The powder is obtained by grinding the dried flowering tops at low temperatures. It has a greenish-brown hue and a characteristic bitter odor.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Motherwort, lion's herb, heart herb, heartwort
• Latin name: Leonurus cardiaca
• Family: Lamiaceae (Labiates)
• Part used: Flowering tops
• Form: Fine powder
• Origin: Europe, temperate Asia
• English name: Motherwort powder
• German name: Heart-shaped powder
• Name in Spanish: Agripalma powder
• Name in Italian: Polvere di leonora
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق عشبة القلب (Mas'houq ʿUshbat al-Qalb)

Main virtues

A plant traditionally recognized for its tonic and regulatory action on the nervous and cardiac systems, as well as for its use in supporting the female cycle. It is mentioned in many European medicinal traditions.

Main constituents

Leonurine (alkaloid), flavonoids (rutoside), tannins, essential oils, iridoids, diterpenes.

Use and dosage

• Important: The use of motherwort powder is strictly reserved for the manufacture of magistral or galenic preparations by health professionals.
• Can be used in dosed capsules, tablets or dry extracts in pharmacies only.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Regulated plant – use restricted to the legal pharmaceutical framework.
• Do not use for self-medication.
• Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Risk of interaction with sedatives and cardiovascular treatments.

History and origin

Already used in ancient medicine, motherwort appears in the texts of Dioscorides, Galen, and Hildegard of Bingen. Its use was perpetuated in medieval herbal medicines for its calming and balancing effects. The powdered form now allows for precise formulation under pharmaceutical control.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: away from heat, humidity and light.
• Packaging: airtight jar, opaque bag – regulated use.
• Appearance: greenish-brown powder, homogeneous.
• Odor: bitter, vegetal, slightly resinous.

Sources and references

• European Pharmacopoeia
• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• EMA and HERBA Monographs
• Texts on traditional European herbal medicine

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