MOTHERWORT

“There’s no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart and make a merry, cheerful soul”.

Culpeper

Latin name: Leonurus cardiaca

Family: Lamiaceae

Other common names: lion’s tail, lion’s ear, throw-wort.

Motherwort is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to southeastern Europe and central Asia. The plant can reach up to 60-100 cm in height. The purplish stem is covered with short pubescence. The leaves are oppositely arranged and palmatilobate with long petioles. They have jagged edges. The basal leaves are wedged with three points, the upper leaves have five points. The leaves are a bit hairy on the top surface and greyish on the underside. The flowers emerge in leaf axils on the upper part of the plant and have three-lobed bracts. The five-lobed calyx is bell-shaped. The color of the flowers can vary from lilac to pink. There are usually four stamens. The fruit is represented by a four-chambered schizocarp.

Rare plants can take root near the roads or in the center of a large metropolis. The habitat of motherwort proves that the plant is environmentally friendly.

 Chemical Composition

• Vitamins A, C, E
• Alkaloids
• Glycosides and saponins
• Essential oils
• Phenols and polyphenols
• Glucose and maltose
• Organic acids
• Tannins

In cosmetology, motherwort is used as a component of lotions, creams and masks for oily skin. It also has the ability to treat insect bites. Motherwort aqueous infusion or alcoholic tincture are often added to creams and masks for sensitive skin. Moreover, the plant is very beneficial for hair health and can be used as part of masks and hair-conditioners. It improves hair growth, strengthens it and reduces hair fat.

Motherwort Tea

What you need:

• 2 cups of water
• 1-2 tsp of motherwort dried leaves
• 1 tsp of honey (optional)

Add the motherwort dried leaves to the boiling water. Infuse the mixture for about 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and add 1 tsp of honey or any other additional ingredients according to your wish.