Motherwort
Research reviewed: 2022-2024
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 675 participants, researched for Cardiovascular & Hypertension, Anxiety & Female Health, Anti-Inflammatory and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular & Hypertension
ModerateAnxiety & Female Health
ModerateAnti-Inflammatory
ModerateImmune Support
ModerateLiver Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular & Hypertension
Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in hypertensive patients with anxiety and sleep disorders
Study Type
Clinical observational study
Purpose
Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in hypertensive patients with anxiety and sleep disorders
Dose
1200mg Leonurus oil extract (LOE) per day
Participants
50 hypertensive patients (stage 1-2) with comorbid anxiety
Duration
28 days
Results
Significantly reduced blood pressure, anxiety scores, and improved sleep quality. Combined cardiovascular and anxiolytic effects valuable in hypertension with comorbid anxiety.
How They Measured It
Blood pressure, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, PSQI
L. cardiaca effects on cardiac mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
Study Type
Cardiovascular mechanistic study
Purpose
L. cardiaca effects on cardiac mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
Dose
L. cardiaca extract and isolated flavonoids
Participants
Isolated cardiac mitochondria
Duration
N/A
Results
Modulated cardiac mitochondrial function, explaining cardiotonic properties. Anti-arrhythmic potential via ion channel modulation identified.
How They Measured It
Complex I-IV activities, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP synthesis
Anxiety & Female Health
Anxiolytic activity of Motherwort dry extracts combined with amino acids
Study Type
Psychotropic study
Purpose
Anxiolytic activity of Motherwort dry extracts combined with amino acids
Dose
Various Leonurus extract + amino acid combinations
Participants
Animal anxiolytic models
Duration
14 days
Results
Motherwort extracts demonstrated anxiolytic activity. Glycine, valine, and arginine combinations most effective. GABA-ergic mechanism proposed.
How They Measured It
EPM, open field test, Vogel conflict test
Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Leonurus cardiaca reviewed
Study Type
Comprehensive phytochemistry review
Purpose
Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Leonurus cardiaca reviewed
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Alkaloids (leonurine, stachydrine), flavonoids, iridoids with cardiotonic, hypotensive, uterotonic, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Stachydrine primary uterotonic, leonurine primary cardioactive.
How They Measured It
Literature review
Updated EMA assessment of L. cardiaca as source of bioactive compounds
Study Type
Updated pharmacological review
Purpose
Updated EMA assessment of L. cardiaca as source of bioactive compounds
Dose
Various herbal preparations
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Approved in European herbal medicine for nervous heart disorders and palpitations. Safety profile generally acceptable at recommended doses.
How They Measured It
Review of clinical and preclinical data
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of L. cardiaca alkaloid extract
Study Type
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant study
Purpose
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of L. cardiaca alkaloid extract
Dose
Leonurus alkaloid extract
Participants
In vitro platelet studies and animal model
Duration
N/A
Results
Significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and extended clotting times. TXA2 suppression mechanism identified. Antiplatelet mechanism complements hypotensive effects.
How They Measured It
ADP, collagen-induced platelet aggregation; thrombin time, PTT
Uterotonic activity of L. cardiaca stachydrine for menstrual irregularity
Study Type
Uterotonic study
Purpose
Uterotonic activity of L. cardiaca stachydrine for menstrual irregularity
Dose
Stachydrine 10-100µM
Participants
Isolated uterine tissue
Duration
N/A
Results
Significant uterotonic activity via oxytocin receptor modulation. Mechanistic basis for menstrual irregularity treatment. Contraindicates use in pregnancy.
How They Measured It
Uterine contractility, oxytocin receptor modulation
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of L. cardiaca extracts
Study Type
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory study
Purpose
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of L. cardiaca extracts
Dose
Leonurus aqueous and ethanolic extract
Participants
In vitro antioxidant/inflammation model
Duration
N/A
Results
High antioxidant capacity and significant NF-kB inhibition. Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and caffeic acid key anti-inflammatory compounds.
How They Measured It
DPPH, FRAP, COX-2, NF-kB, TNF-alpha
Motherwort for menopausal symptoms and anxiety in perimenopausal women
Study Type
Menopausal symptom study
Purpose
Motherwort for menopausal symptoms and anxiety in perimenopausal women
Dose
1000mg L. cardiaca extract daily
Participants
65 perimenopausal women
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced menopausal symptom scores and anxiety. Phytoestrogenic and GABA-ergic mechanisms proposed.
How They Measured It
Kupperman Menopause Index, Hamilton Anxiety Scale
Anti-Inflammatory
Effect of a Combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 and Leonurus japonicus Extracts in Respiratory Discomfort: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Pl
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Effect of a Combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 and Leonurus japonicus Extracts in Respiratory Discomfort: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Pl
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Study results available at linked source.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 38999876. Nutrients
Immune Support
The effectiveness of motherwort injection in preventing postabortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A protocol for systematic review and meta-anal
Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Purpose
The effectiveness of motherwort injection in preventing postabortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A protocol for systematic review and meta-anal
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
CONCLUSION: This evidence will be useful to practitioners, patients, and health policy-makers regarding the use of motherwort injection in induced abortion.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 36800587. Medicine (Baltimore)
Liver Health
Motherwort Injection for Preventing Uterine Hemorrhage in Women With Induced Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evidence.
Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Purpose
Motherwort Injection for Preventing Uterine Hemorrhage in Women With Induced Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evidence.
Dose
See study
Participants
675 participants
Duration
Not specified
Results
Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis indicate prophylactic use of motherwort injection may reduce the risk of uterine hemorrhage in women after abortion, and more high-quality research is.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 35935833. Front Pharmacol
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Motherwort research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), involving 675 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular & hypertension, Anxiety & stress reduction, Female reproductive health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Motherwort has been researched for: Cardiovascular & hypertension, Anxiety & stress reduction, Female reproductive health, Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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