Motherwort heart: medicinal properties, benefits and contraindications

Motherwort is also called “Heart Grass”. Externally, motherwort looks a little like nettle, with spiky leaves and spike-shaped flowers of a pinkish-lilac color. In appearance, it is an inconspicuous plant that does not have any particular beauty or attractiveness, but it is fraught with enormous benefits for the human body.

This perennial herbaceous plant includes several species of the motherwort family and grows mainly in wastelands (hence the name), in ravines, along river banks, in fields and meadows, sometimes along roadways, as well as on cultivated plots of land, but mostly degrees in farms specializing in the cultivation of medicinal herbs. This plant is mainly found in the European part of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus and western Siberia. Almost all parts of the plant are medicinal - leaves, flowers, stem.

Motherwort enjoys due respect not only in the territory of our vast Russia; it is also successfully used in getting rid of various kinds of diseases by European, Indian and Chinese healers. In ancient China, folk healers used this plant as a life-prolonging agent.

Composition of the drug Motherwort

The most important active ingredient is motherwort extract. The plant has the ability to have an effect on the central nervous system. Flavonoid glycosides found in flowers and stems, as well as alkaloids, saponins and tannins, regulate the state of the nervous system, inhibiting its excitability. In addition, the natural components of the herb can regulate heart rate.

In addition to motherwort extracts, Motherwort forte contains magnesium. This element is indispensable in the formation of nerve connections and impulse transmission. Magnesium is found in all organs and tissues; its deficiency leads to behavioral disorders, decreased resistance to stress, and vulnerability to negative factors. In addition, a lack of magnesium can cause joint pain and night cramps.

Vitamin B6 is another important component of the drug. Without it, magnesium cannot be fully absorbed by the body. This vitamin helps you control your emotions and find the strength not to react sharply to negative information.

Infusion, tincture, juice

Infusion.

Recipe 1:

• Brew a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. dried herbs, leave for 2 hours.

Drink 1-2 tbsp 30 minutes before meals. 3-4 times a day and before bedtime.

Recipe 2:

1. Pour 500 ml of boiled water 2 tsp. herbs.
2. Leave for 6-8 hours, strain.

Take 50 ml 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Tincture:

1. Grind 2 tbsp. dried leaves
2. Pour a glass of vodka.
3. Leave for 4 days in a dark place, strain.

Take 1 tsp before meals. 4 times a day.

Use of pharmaceutical alcohol tincture:

• Add 20-30 drops of tincture to 50 ml of warm boiled water.

Take 30 minutes before meals 2-3 times a day.

Juice. In folk medicine, during the season, they preferred to take the diluted juice of the plant. The benefits of motherwort juice - it contains 7-10 times more biologically active substances compared to infusion and tincture, but retains its medicinal properties for 1-2 days.

Recipe 1:

• Pass the plant material through a meat grinder and squeeze.

In 1 tsp. add 30-40 drops of juice to water. Take 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Recipe 2:

• Mix fresh juice half and half with vodka.

Take 1 tsp before meals. 3 times a day.

Recipe 3. Preparing juice for the winter:

• Mix 2 parts juice with 3 parts alcohol.

Add 25-30 drops to 50 ml of water. Take 3 times a day.

Motherwort forte Evalar: instructions for use

Motherwort forte tablets are indicated for adults. The maximum daily dose is 2 tablets. One is taken at the beginning of the day, the second before bed. Two tablets a day provide 80% of the body's need for vitamin B6. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the nervous disorder. Due to the fact that magnesium tends to accumulate in tissues while taking the drug, the duration of the course can last up to 30 days. In rare cases, the doctor may prescribe an appointment for up to two months continuously. Without the recommendation of a specialist, you should not increase the time of taking Motherwort. As a rule, to restore performance and nervous balance, it is enough to buy 1 package of 40 tablets.

Botanical description

Depending on the species, motherwort grows from 30 to 200 cm. The stem is erect, tetrahedral, and in some cases branched.

The leaves are petiolate, the lower ones are larger, palmately dissected or palmately lobed, the upper ones are whole or the same as the ones below.

The flowers are small, intermittent, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, located in the axils of the leaves and at the ends of the branches of the stems. Flowers have 4 stamens. The calyxes are hairy or glabrous, incised to the middle or 1/3 of 5 teeth. Blooms throughout the summer.

The fruit consists of 4 nut-like parts, the so-called erems. The length of each such part is 2-3 mm, enclosed in the remaining cup. The spread of fruits occurs due to attachment to clothing or animal fur.

Views from photos

In total there are approximately 25 species of motherwort. Only 3 are used as medicines.

• Motherwort cordial or common. A distinctive feature is the completely bare stem, slightly hairy on the ribs. There are also few glandular hairs on the leaves, and the flowers have a bare calyx and are small. This species grows in abandoned parks, among bushes, in weedy places, near housing, in gardens, and near fences. It is found in the Baltic states, the Black Sea region, Belarus, throughout the European territory of Russia and Western Siberia, with the exception of the Far North.

• Blue motherwort. The name comes from the greyish-gray color of the leaves and stem. The stem reaches a height of 1 m, finely pubescent. Flowers on whorls are small, pale pink.

• Motherwort five-lobed or hairy. It grows in height from 50 to 150 cm. The stem is pubescent with hairs, erect, with a small number of branches. The leaves are serrated along the edge, 3-5 lobed, with glandular hairs on both sides, the upper side is dark green, the lower side is gray. The flowers are pink, small, collected in whorls, two-lipped. It is found on sandy and loamy soils along the edges, clearings in mixed and coniferous forests, in wastelands and weedy areas. Widely distributed in the European part of Russia, with the exception of the Far North, it is also not uncommon in Western Siberia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Belarus, and the Caucasus.

Indications for use of Motherwort

Motherwort is widely used in medicine. It is prescribed for various disorders that are directly or indirectly related to disorders of the nervous system:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• heart rhythm disturbances due to nervous excitement;
• early stage of arterial hypertension;
• sleep disorders;
• a persistent feeling of anxiety;
• high irritability;
• colitis;
• gastritis;
• peptic ulcer at an early stage.

Disturbances in the functioning of the intestines often begin with nervous shock. One of the most common psychosomatic diseases is colitis. Inflammations are not treated with standard therapy, because the cause does not lie in intestinal infections, poisoning, or polyps or other possible neoplasms. It is stress and nervous disorders that negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system, primarily the intestines and stomach.

Suspicions of a gastric ulcer should also include a diagnosis of the state of the nervous system. The constant production of stress hormones affects high stomach acidity, disruption of receptors and food digestion. Proton pump inhibitors and heartburn medications only provide temporary results. Until the functioning of the nervous system is normalized and sleep is improved, digestion will be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, which may ultimately result in a stomach ulcer.

Motherwort forte is a safe drug with a minimal set of possible side effects, which can, without causing addiction, calm the nerves, restore sleep, and help fight stress.

In some situations, stress affects the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system. As a result, swelling of the tissues of the lower extremities occurs. Motherwort forte acts in two directions in such a situation. Its main action is aimed at restoring the balance of the nervous system. On the other hand, it is a safe diuretic that increases the volume of urine produced, allowing fluid to leave the tissues.

The initial stage of hypertension can be stopped with the help of a course of Motherwort. If the disease is not caused by kidney or heart failure, taking herbal tablets will restore the normal rhythm of the heart muscle and return the pressure to normal limits.

Medicinal and beneficial properties

In folk and official medicine, five-lobed and cardiac motherwort are used. They are used as the main component of a medicinal product or added to medicinal preparations. The herb is suitable for external use, preparation of body and hair care products.

Medicines from motherwort are taken before meals, but for some diseases they are drunk 30–60 minutes after eating.

How perennials are useful for humans:

• Increases immunity.
• Reduces nervous excitability, calms.
• Relieves insomnia and stress.
• Helps improve blood circulation.
• Reduces blood pressure.
• Accelerates the removal of excess cholesterol.
• Normalizes intestinal function.
• Activates the production of digestive enzymes.
• Resists inflammatory processes.
• Helps remove fluid from the body.
• Prevents the development and spread of cancer cells.
• Accelerates tissue restoration.
• Cleanses the liver of toxins.
• Relieves hormonal imbalance.
• Helps reduce pain.
• Prevents the formation of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Features of benefits for men and women

Motherwort has beneficial properties that help women fight pathologies and unpleasant symptoms:

1. Helps improve well-being during menopause. The herb relieves hot flashes, mood swings, neuroses, and normalizes sleep.
2. Eliminates pain during menstruation. Motherwort improves the contractility of the uterus, relieves spasms, and reduces the intensity of bleeding.
3. Accelerates the treatment of cystitis. Herbal medicines reduce pain during urination and the activity of pathogens.
4. Prevents the development of varicose veins. The products strengthen the venous walls, preventing their blockage and stretching.

Motherwort brings the following benefits to men:

1. Reduces the risk of developing prostatitis. The herb activates blood flow to the genitourinary organs and eliminates the possibility of congestion.
2. Restores potency. Motherwort stimulates testosterone production and removes psychological factors of male impotence.
3. Helps cure infertility. Herbal remedies increase the number of viable sperm and improve their quality.

Contraindications to the use of motherwort

For children, taking medications even based on herbal ingredients is contraindicated. Any nervous disorders in a child should be examined with the help of a professional psychologist. Children are exposed to daily stress associated with high mental and physical stress at school. With the help of a competent specialist or during a confidential conversation with parents, it is necessary to find out the cause of the anxiety and help the child get rid of it. If these are difficulties in communicating with peers or a teacher, you need to work with them to find out the essence of the conflict and establish communication. It is unacceptable to quell a child’s anxiety with pills.

Adults with acute gastric or duodenal ulcers should also avoid taking Motherwort. It is important to remember that the chronic stage of hypertension cannot be treated with herbal remedies with a slight calming effect. To normalize your blood pressure, you need to contact a cardiologist.

Collection and preparation

The leaves and the entire apical part of the motherwort are harvested along with the flowers, so it is better to collect it during the flowering period, when the flowers are fully open. The best time for this is July. Collection must be done in clear and dry weather. The cut grass is laid out in a thin layer. It is advisable to dry it indoors without exposure to sunlight, but with access to air. During the process, the core must be stirred frequently. The fragility and fragility of the raw material indicates its readiness. Then it should be placed in canvas bags or wooden boxes, where the product will be protected from moisture. Shelf life – no more than 3 years.