Motherwort is a perennial herb traditionally used in folk medicine to strengthen the heart and enhance circulation. The herb also has a long history of use by midwives as an emmenagogue to stimulate menstruation and uterine contractions, a reputation that earned the plant its common name. Because anti-inflammatory compounds are present in the leaves, the plant is also used to address inflammatory disorders related to allergies, such as rhinitis. Motherwort may produce side effects, however, and interact with other medicines. Check with your doctor before using motherwort to avoid these risks.
Plant Profile
Motherwort, or Leonurus cardiaca, belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants, which includes mints. This flowering perennial is native to the central regions of Asia and Europe and temperate Russia, now naturalized in North America. Although the plant's common name is a reference to its place in herbal medicine in treating female complaints, the species name pays tribute to its long-time use as a cardiac tonic. Other conditions historically treated with this herb include bronchial asthma and seasonal allergies. The fresh or dried above-ground parts of the plant are the parts used in medicine, which are collected while the herb is in flower.
Composition
The chief active constituent in the herb is a bitter alkaloid called leonurine, a natural vasodilator. Other plant chemicals present include caffeic acid derivatives, tannins, traces of volatile oils and several flavonoids, most notably rutin and quercetin. The anti-allergy effects of motherwort are attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin.
Effects on Allergies
Regardless of the specific allergen or how it is introduced, the body's response is to step up activity in two kinds of cells -- specialized white blood cells called basophils, and mast cells, which reside in the connective tissue of the skin, nose, throat, eyes and lungs. When stimulated, these cells release inflammatory chemicals, namely histamine. According to a study published in "Clinical and Molecular Allergy" in Sept. 2010, quercetin prevents histamine release in basophils activated by an allergic antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. In 2011, a study published in the "Bratislava Medical Journal" reports that quercetin improved lung function in allergic asthma by inhibiting histamine and another inflammatory chemical called acetylcholine . A 2010 study published in the "Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology," shows that quercetin counters IgE responses in allergies to peanut proteins and prevents anaphylactic reactions in rats.
Safety Concerns
Because of the potential vascular effects of this herb, motherwort should not be combined with heart or blood pressure medications without close medical supervision. Similarly, a 2011 study published in "Phytotherapy Research" indicates that compounds in motherwort may exert mild sedative effects, so don't take this herb in conjunction with antidepressants without your doctor's approval. Do not use motherwort while pregnant or nursing.
References
- "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Brendler, et al.; 2007
- "Clinical and Molecular Allergy"; Bimodal Action of the Flavonoid Quercetin on Basophil Function: An Investigation of the Putative Biochemical Targets; S. Chirumbolo, et al.; 2010
- "Bratislava Medical Journal"; Acute Bronchodilator Effect of Quercetin in Experimental Allergic Asthma; M. Joskova, et al.; 2011
- "Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology"; Quercetin Effectively Quells Peanut-Induced Anaphylactic Reactions in the Peanut Sensitized Rats; F. Shishehbor, et al.; 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Effect of Leonurus cardiaca Oil Extract in Patients with Arterial Hypertension Accompanied by Anxiety and Sleep Disorders; A.N. Shikov, et al.; 2011
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