Motherwort - benefits and harm to the body, application

What does motherwort look like and where does it grow?

The medicinal plant motherwort is a perennial herb with a straight stem, densely covered with hairs, and petiolate, pubescent leaves. The plant blooms from June to September with beautiful pink or purple flowers. It is its flowering tops that are usually collected and used for medicinal purposes.

The grass grows everywhere - motherwort can be found in Europe and Asia, Siberia and the Middle East, throughout the middle zone of the globe. The plant prefers light soils in meadows and river banks. Motherwort can often be found in landfills, in old quarries and wastelands - it owes its name to this feature.

Chemical composition of motherwort

Motherwort has healing properties due to its internal composition. The leaves and stems of the plant contain:

vitamins A and E;
ascorbic acid;
beta-carotene;
potassium and sulfur;
sodium and calcium;
flavonoids and tannins;
sugars and saponins;
bitterness and alkaloids;
essential and fatty oils;
organic acids and glycosides.

Due to the listed substances, motherwort herb brings benefits and harm; what effect it will have on the body depends on the literacy of its use.

Useful properties of motherwort

The beneficial effect of motherwort on the human body lies in the fact that this plant:

has a general strengthening effect and has a beneficial effect on the state of the immune system - while taking the plant, the body becomes more resistant to colds and infectious diseases;
calms the nervous system - the herb is highly recommended for use for anxiety disorders, depression and sleep disorders;
has a diuretic effect and helps get rid of edema;
has an anticonvulsant effect, therefore can be used for epilepsy;
helps with colds and coughs, as it has mucolytic properties;
relieves inflammation and improves the condition of infectious diseases;
has an analgesic effect;
has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

The plant is also recommended for use to reduce glucose and bad cholesterol in the blood.

For women

The benefit of motherwort for women is that the plant regulates hormonal levels and has a pronounced positive effect during menopause. Medicinal decoctions and infusions eliminate so-called hot flashes and improve overall well-being.

The beneficial properties of motherwort for women appear during menstruation. Plant-based medicines relieve pain and reduce bleeding. In addition, motherwort evens out mood and helps get rid of irritability and anxiety.

For men

The benefits of motherwort for men manifest themselves primarily in cases of nervous disorders. The plant helps cope with aggression and excessive excitability, improves sleep and reduces stress levels.

It is also useful to use motherwort for prostatitis and prostate adenoma. The properties of the plant relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

Motherwort herb - medicinal properties and contraindications

Chemical composition

The benefits of motherwort for the body are due to its large chemical composition. The plant has beneficial substances:

Alkoloids;
Saponins;
Vitamins A, E and C;
Tannins;
Glycosides;
Essential oils;
Flavonoids;
Organic acids;
Carotene.

Medicinal properties

Calming;
Vasodilators;
Diuretics;
Anti-inflammatory;
Painkillers;
Antispasmodic;
Sedatives;
Anticonvulsants;
Decongestants;
Expectorants;
Hemostatic;
Antioxidant.

What does motherwort help with?

Motherwort has beneficial effects for humans:

Normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
Increases the strength of heart contractions;
Slows down the heart rate;
Lowers blood pressure;
Calms the central nervous system;
Relieves spasms of cerebral vessels;
Calms attacks of panic and fear;
Relieves shortness of breath and palpitations;
Improves mood and well-being;
Soothes headaches;
Has a mild hypnotic effect;
Improves sleep quality;
Activates metabolism and metabolism;
Increases urination;
Removes gases from the intestines;
Relieves colic and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract;
Reduces bad cholesterol levels;
Helps normalize the menstrual cycle;
Eases the symptoms of menopause;
Soothes persistent cough and has an expectorant effect;
Helps in the treatment of skin wounds and burns.

What cures

Increased heart rate;
Neurosis and increased excitability;
Hypertension;
Myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, heart disease and shortness of breath;
Epilepsy and hysteria;
Myocardial dystrophy and myocardiopathy;
Coronary heart disease;
Headaches and insomnia;
Anemia;
Gastrointestinal colic;
Stomach and duodenal ulcers;
Pneumonia and asthma;
Graves' disease;
Neuralgia, paralysis and contusions;
Painful menstruation and menopause symptoms;
Impotence;
Flu, colds, ARVI, cough.

Contraindications

Pregnancy and lactation;
Hypotension;
Thrombosis;
Bradycardia;
Children under 12 years of age;
Individual intolerance to components.

Indications for use of motherwort

The beneficial properties of motherwort can be used for a wide range of ailments. Among the indications for use of the plant are:

vegetative-vascular dystonia;
convulsions and rapid heartbeat;
migraines and insomnia;
irregular periods and menopause;
sluggish blood circulation;
angina pectoris and myocarditis;
hypertension in mild forms;
flatulence and metabolic disorders;
inflammatory diseases of the bronchi and lungs.

We recommend reading: What foods are good for the human heart and blood vessels: list, top 15 best
Important! Drinking motherwort is recommended for many disorders of the nervous system; the plant will not cause harm for diseases of the thyroid gland.

Ways to use motherwort

Based on a useful plant, you can make several drinks with valuable properties. They differ from each other in the degree of efficiency and complexity of preparation.

Water infusion

The benefits of motherwort infusion in water are manifested in cases of hypertension, nervous overexcitation, and digestive disorders. Prepare a healthy drink like this:

pour a large spoonful of dry grass into a glass of boiling water;
cover with a lid and leave for an hour;
Once fully prepared, strain.

The volume and frequency of use of the infusion depends on the specific ailment, but usually motherwort is taken three times a day, 2-3 sips - on an empty stomach, half an hour before meals.

Alcohol tincture

The beneficial properties of the plant are well demonstrated in combination with alcohol. The tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy, or you can make it yourself at home. They do this as follows:

dry grass is ground into powder in a volume of 2 large spoons;
pour 100 ml of strong medical alcohol;
remove and leave to infuse for 14 days.

The properties of motherwort tincture help get rid of insomnia and anxiety. The drug relieves the symptoms of VSD and makes it easier to endure menopause, eliminates tachycardia and shortness of breath. The recommended dosage is only about 30 drops three times a day, otherwise there may be harm to the body.

Attention! The benefits and harms of motherwort alcohol tincture depend on the volume and timing of use - the medicine should not be taken in excessive dosages, and the course of treatment should not exceed 10 days.

Motherwort decoction

For nervous disorders, heart ailments and inflammatory processes, a decoction of motherwort is beneficial. To prepare it, you need to pour 500 ml of hot water into 2 large spoons of chopped herbs and leave for half an hour. Then the motherwort is poured into a saucepan with enamel drains and brought to a boil on the stove.

The cooled product is filtered and drunk shortly before bedtime, a few sips. Since the concentration of the decoction is quite high, in large quantities it can also cause harm.

Motherwort juice

An easy-to-prepare and effective remedy is the fresh juice of the plant, which helps with heart disorders, neuroses, and problems with blood vessels. It is not difficult to prepare - fresh leaves and stems of the herb need to be crushed in a blender or meat grinder, and then squeeze the pulp through thick cheesecloth to separate the liquid juice.

The juice is taken orally three times a day with just a small spoon, and the total course of therapy should not exceed 3 weeks. The juice can also be used to lubricate wounds and healing burns - the properties of motherwort will promote rapid tissue regeneration.

In tablet form

Pharmacies sell tablets whose active ingredient is a plant extract. In their action, tablets are no different from decoctions and infusions; they are beneficial for nervous and cardiac disorders, reduce blood pressure and normalize sleep, and have a positive effect on metabolism.

The benefit of motherwort in tablets is that the medicine is much more convenient to take when time is short. The tablets can be carried with you and taken as needed anywhere. The drugs are available without a prescription, and they are usually taken no more than 3 times a day, with plenty of water.

Important! The benefits and harms to the body of motherwort tablets depend on the dosage.

Despite the completely natural composition of the drugs, they must be used strictly according to the instructions, otherwise side effects and harm to the body cannot be ruled out.

Powder

Motherwort extract is beneficial; it is a dry powder made from ground dried leaves of the herb. Take it this way: stir a teaspoon of powder in one and a half glasses of warm water.

The beneficial extract is especially effective for headaches. You can use it up to 4 times a day.

Baths with motherwort

Baths with the addition of a medicinal plant have a calming and strengthening effect. To a full container of hot water, you need to add a liter of healing infusion or 10 ml of a ready-made pharmaceutical extract in liquid form.

Take a bath for about a quarter of an hour, it is best to do this before bed. The properties of the plant have a calming and relaxing effect, help you fall asleep quickly and equalize your heart rate and blood pressure.

Medicinal fees with motherwort

The plant is beneficial in its pure form, but is very often used together with other medicinal herbs. For example, for nervous disorders the following collection will not cause harm:

20 g of dry motherwort is mixed with 10 g of lemon balm, St. John's wort and hawthorn;
add 5 g of ground valerian root;
Pour boiling water over about 2 small spoons of the mixture and leave for 5 minutes.

The benefits of tea made from motherwort and other herbs will be higher than usual - the healthy collection will have a complex beneficial effect on the body.

Recipes for folk remedies

Traditional medicine has created unique ways to use motherwort. Let's look at them.

Decoction

Required:

15 grams of motherwort grass after drying;
200 ml boiling water.

Preparation:

Pour boiling water over the herb. Leave for 10-15 minutes.
Pour into an enamel pan and place on low heat.
Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes.

The decoction is used 1-2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day (before breakfast and lunch, 1 hour before bedtime). It helps lower blood pressure and achieve overall peace of mind.

Infusion

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. l. dried motherwort;
200 ml boiling water.

Recipe:

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over the dry raw materials.
Pour into any container with a lid. Wrap with thick cloth.
Let it brew for 1-2 hours.

The resulting composition is taken orally 50 ml 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Main indications: neuroses of any origin, sleep disturbances, frequent attacks of epilepsy.

Tea

Key components:

2 tsp. motherwort herbs;
2 tsp. chamomile flowers;
200 ml boiling water.

How to cook:

Mix chamomile and motherwort. Fill with hot water (about 80-90 ° C).
Brew for 15-20 minutes.

Drink 40-70 ml 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. To enhance the beneficial effect, you can add 1-2 tsp. ground ginger root, mint or lemon balm, natural honey. Duration of treatment – up to 2 weeks.

Tea is used to reduce anxiety and stress, treat insomnia, and stimulate sexual function.

Pressure collection

Necessary:

1 tsp. motherwort herbs;
2 tbsp. l. chicory roots (chopped);
1 tsp. cucumbers;
600 ml boiling water.

Recipe:

Mix all ingredients until smooth.
Pour boiling water over it. Leave for 10-15 minutes.

Consume 1 glass 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals. Duration – no more than 7 days.

The collection helps reduce blood pressure and prevent its surges.

Numerous advances in traditional medicine help in practice to combat some difficult-to-control diseases. The main thing is to carefully observe the dosage.

How to use motherwort for medicinal purposes

For certain ailments, the plant is especially popular. But in order for the herb not to cause harm, you need to clearly understand the rules for its use.

From nerves

For nervous disorders and increased anxiety, an alcoholic tincture of the plant helps best. Adults are recommended to take 50 drops of medicine one time to level out the emotional background, while motherwort should be diluted in half a glass of water.

It is best to take the medicine on an empty stomach - shortly before eating, or an hour after that.

For gastritis

The analgesic and antiseptic properties of the herb are positive for gastritis. A decoction of the plant helps relieve discomfort in the stomach and nausea; you need to take half a glass of it before eating. Alcohol tincture can also be consumed, but the volume should not exceed half a teaspoon on an empty stomach.

For pancreatitis

During a period of sharp exacerbation of the disease, it is not recommended to take the plant - it can cause harm to the pancreas. But during remission, the properties of the herb will be beneficial, as they will improve metabolism and speed up digestion processes.

The greatest benefit will come from a regular aqueous infusion of the plant if you take 1 large spoonful of it on an empty stomach. In total, it is recommended to continue the course no longer than a month in a row, so that the beneficial herb does not cause accidental harm.

For heart health

Motherwort is of great benefit for the heart - in case of heart failure, ischemia, angina pectoris and arrhythmias, an alcohol tincture has the best effect.

You need to take it three times a day on an empty stomach, only 30-50 drops. After a couple of weeks, an improvement becomes noticeable, but you cannot continue the course for too long - it will cause harm. Treatment with the plant must be carried out intermittently.

For kidney diseases

The diuretic properties of the plant help get rid of swelling and discomfort associated with impaired kidney function. To remove excess fluids and toxins from the body, it is enough to take half a glass of medicinal infusion three times a day.

For the thyroid gland

Since the plant regulates hormonal levels, its beneficial properties are used for diseases of the thyroid gland, in particular hypothyroidism. It is necessary to drink half a glass of water infusion twice a day on an empty stomach.

Advice! There will be no harm to the thyroid gland if you combine the medicinal plant with other herbs - hawthorn, mint, valerian.

For hypertension

The beneficial properties of medicinal motherwort include its ability to lower blood pressure. For hypertension, it is recommended to take 50 drops of alcohol tincture four times a day. The special value of the remedy is that it reduces blood pressure almost instantly, so motherwort can be used even during severe hypertensive exacerbations.

During menopause

When menopause occurs, an infusion based on motherwort brings a good medicinal effect. To prepare it, you need to brew about 2 small spoons of dry herb in boiling water and wait 20 minutes.

You should take this useful product 5 sips three times a day. The plant will help get rid of hot flashes and generally improve a woman’s well-being.

For unpleasant symptoms during menstruation

Herbal tea helps with painful sensations and mood swings during menstruation. It is prepared like this:

2 large spoons of motherwort, chamomile and mint are mixed with 1 large spoon of birch leaves;
add 1 large spoon of crushed buckthorn bark;
pour 500 ml of boiling water and leave to steep until cool.

The prepared mixture is taken three times a day, several sips at a time - in just one day you need to drink a glass of the remedy.

For infertility

Motherwort can have a good effect on female infertility. During the treatment process, it is customary to use the following medicinal mixture:

motherwort, chamomile, calendula and St. John's wort are mixed in equal parts;
add the same amount of yarrow and immortelle;
10 small spoons of the prepared mixture are poured with 500 ml of hot water and left for 2 hours.

The useful remedy is taken 100 ml three times a day, and the course of treatment should be started a couple of months before the planned conception of the child.

For epilepsy

The anticonvulsant properties of the plant are good for epilepsy. Dry herb in the amount of 2 small spoons is poured into 500 ml of hot water, stirred and infused for a couple of hours, and then drunk 2 large spoons before eating. With a course of treatment, motherwort has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, and epilepsy attacks become much less frequent.

For healing wounds and boils

A useful plant when used externally accelerates the healing of wounds, burns and ulcers. It is recommended to treat diseased areas of the skin with decoctions and infusions several times a day; fresh herb juice has a good healing effect.

Healing baths with the plant help restore skin health faster - just add a liter of decoction to hot water.

Use in folk medicine

Motherwort herb is an affordable, budget-friendly herbal remedy. Moreover, it has been prescribed relatively recently as a remedy for “nerves.” Until the beginning of the twentieth century, plant extracts were considered a cure for hypertension and heart disease. Tablets with extract and 70% alcohol tincture can be freely purchased in pharmacies. Preparations from different brands differ in the percentage of the main component, the presence and variety of additives.

For example, for the tableted drug “Motherwort Forte Evalar”, the instructions for use indicate that, in addition to the main herbal component, the composition includes the “elements of calm” magnesium B-6 and B vitamins. Thanks to the additives, the drug not only helps to relax , relieve emotional stress, but also improve sleep, develop immunity to stressful situations, and improve your overall emotional state.

It is important not to exceed the prescribed single dosage: 30-50 drops of alcohol tincture or the amount of motherwort extract in tablets prescribed in the instructions for use. The therapeutic effect is cumulative and appears only with long-term and regular use of medications.

In alternative medicine , decoctions, infusions and tinctures of motherwort leaves and stems, as well as herbal preparations that include dried herbs, are recommended to be taken for such serious diseases as:

neurasthenia, various forms of neuroses (including hangovers), increased anxiety, hysteria, lethargy, nervousness;
gynecological problems: painful or heavy menstruation, menstrual irregularities;
fear and stuttering in children;
epileptic seizures;
sclerosis of cerebral and coronary vessels;
Graves' disease (goiter), enlarged thyroid gland;
hypertension;
inflammation of the large intestine;
swelling (as a diuretic);
chronic catarrh of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by spasms and pain;
diseases of the autonomic nervous system;
Iron-deficiency anemia;
disruption of the heart and associated symptoms: irregular heart rhythm, decreased strength of heart contractions, increased heart rate and shortness of breath.

The drugs are prescribed as a complex therapy for nervous disorders and depressed emotional state during the premenopausal and menopausal periods. To alleviate the symptoms of menopause and prevent premature aging of tissues, therapy with propolis preparations is additionally recommended.

Also, taking infusions with a high concentration of vitamin C is recommended for people whose body is recovering from a debilitating illness : a severe cold or flu, infectious diseases.

Baths with a decoction or extract of heart grass have healing properties. During a bath, volatile essential oils have an effect similar to taking drugs orally and enhance therapy. Relaxing, soothing and refreshing water procedures are indicated for:

functional disorders of the nervous system, increased agitation, persistent sleep disorders, nervous exhaustion;
loss of strength, chronic fatigue;
chronic headaches;
high (hot baths) and low (cool baths) pressure;
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rickets in young children;
pustular skin diseases: wounds, furunculosis, acne, pimples.

Depending on the indications, pure extract is added to the baths or mixed with decoctions of yarrow, calamus roots, burdock, walnut leaves, celandine, and essential oils of mint and Siberian fir. Decoctions and infusions of heart herbs are much gentler than pharmaceutical preparations. They are prescribed for prevention :

tuberculosis;
in the initial stages of hypertension;
coronary heart disease;
atherosclerosis;
circulatory dysfunction;
disruptions in the functioning of organs and systems of the body;
nervous breakdowns during prolonged psycho-emotional stress.

The effect of motherwort treatment is not achieved from the first week. The dosage is prescribed by a herbalist and depends on the condition of the body, the severity of the disease, the severity of its symptoms, the presence of concomitant diseases and complications, and the age of the patient. If at the beginning of treatment the patient experiences an increased level of irritability and depression, treatment should be stopped for at least a week and the dosage and form of taking the drug should be reconsidered.

The use of motherwort in cosmetology

The influence of motherwort on the human body is manifested not only in folk medicine. The plant is actively used in home cosmetology. The plant extract is often included in creams, masks and lotions for oily skin, since the herb has a drying effect. Medicinal natural shampoos are made from motherwort. The plant reduces the oiliness of curls, improves the condition of the scalp and promotes rapid hair growth.

You can also use this useful plant in homemade beauty recipes. Washing with medicinal decoctions helps relieve acne and irritation; medicinal plant powder is added to mask compositions.

For women

Heart herb, which has hemostatic properties, is used for heavy periods. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of the onset of menopause. Relieves anxiety, irritability, eliminates headaches, improves mood, improves sleep.

In order to get rid of the characteristic negative signs of menopause, dried crushed leaves of the plant are used - 2 tsp. Place it in a faience mug and steam it with a glass of boiling water. After 20 minutes, filtration is carried out. Drink a third of a glass every eight hours.
To reduce the intensity of hot flashes characteristic of menopause, combine lemon balm, hawthorn (berries), cudweed with leaves of the heart and blackberry, taking into account the ratio of 1:1:1:2:3. The raw materials must be dried and crushed.

Transfer 1 tbsp. l. collecting in a mug with a glass of boiled water. After an hour, the healing infusion is filtered. Divide into three servings, drinking them throughout the day. You should take it for at least 14 days.

To reduce pain and intensity of bleeding during menstruation, prepare a collection of motherwort and sweet woodruff - 20 g each. Add hawthorn (fruits) - 10 g, cucumber - 15 g, blackberry leaves - 25 g. Steam 2 tsp. dried ground mixture with boiling water - 250 ml. Leave for about 20 minutes under a napkin, and then place on double gauze, squeezing out the healing liquid. Drink a third of a glass of the infusion every eight hours.

A mixture of motherwort, cudweed with chamomile and hawthorn inflorescences helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Take medicinal varieties in identical parts.

Place 8 tbsp in an enamel pan with two glasses of hot water. l. collection After boiling, cook for two minutes, and then leave to infuse under a terry cloth for four hours. It is recommended to take the strained decoction four times a day after meals, a third of a glass.

For pregnant

More often, motherwort is used during pregnancy in the form of an infusion. It is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. dried herbs, which are kept in 200 ml of boiled water. The dishes are wrapped in a towel and left for two hours.

The filtered healing liquid is diluted 1:2 with cooled boiling water and drunk a glass in the morning and evening. Although the heart is considered a fairly safe herb, it is taken only after consultation with a gynecologist.

If possible, it is not recommended to take the infusion in the first and third trimesters to avoid possible complications.

Harm and side effects of motherwort

The benefits and harms of motherwort for the human body depend on the dosage of the drug and the duration of course use. If you take the plant in large quantities and without interruptions, side effects are possible - decreased heart rate and hypotension.

With a one-time overdose of the plant, harm can manifest itself in nausea and vomiting or the onset of drowsiness. Before drinking medicinal drinks, you need to make sure that motherwort does not cause allergies - this also causes significant harm.

What to remember

Motherwort has a positive effect on the heart, evens out the pulse, normalizes blood pressure, and calms the nervous system.
Before use, study how motherwort affects the heart.
Motherwort in the form of tincture is not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The plant has a sedative effect on the body, and drowsiness may occur, so people whose activities involve concentrating, for example, drivers, should not take motherwort-based medications.
In motherwort, the benefits and harms for the heart depend on the correct use. If you follow the recommended dosage and doctor's instructions, the benefits of the plant are obvious; it will not harm your body.

Is it possible to give motherwort to children?

Motherwort can be used externally for children after 1 month of a baby’s life. Use beneficial decoctions and infusions to wipe away irritations on the skin of babies, add products to warm baths - motherwort helps normalize sleep and strengthens the immune system.

But at the same time, the herb remains prohibited for internal use for up to 12 years. Some components in motherwort can cause harm to a developing organism.

Attention! Even after your child reaches adolescence, you should consult your pediatrician before using motherwort for the first time to avoid possible harm.