Introduction of Yi Mu Cao:Motherwort Herb or Herba Leonuri.
✵The article gives records of the herb Motherwort Herb, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source one plant species, ①.Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu., and other two usable plant species, ②.Leonurus sibiricus L., ③.Leonurus cardiaca L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plant species, the features of the herb Motherwort Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Herba Leonuri(Motherwort Herb).
Pin Yin Name: Yì Mǔ Cǎo.
English Name: Motherwort Herb.
Latin Name: Herba Leonuri.
Property and flavor: slightly cold, pungent, bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Herba Leonuri is the dried aerial part of Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet, used (1).to activate blood flow and regulate the menstrual discharge in cases of menstrual disorders, and (2).as a diuretic in cases of nephritic edema. The herb is commonly known as Herba Leonuri, Motherwort Herb, Yì Mǔ Cǎo.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Motherwort as the whole herb of the Lamiaceae family plant species (1).Leonurus artemisia (Lour.) S.Y.Hu. Other famous herbal classics defined the herb Motherwort as the whole herb of the Lamiaceae family plant species (1). Leonurus artemisia (Lour.) S.Y.Hu., (2). Leonurus sibiricus L., or (3). Leonurus cardiaca L. They are plants of the Leonurus genus, Lamiaceae family(Labiatae, mint family) of the Tubiflorae order. These 3 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Leonurus artemisia (Lour.) S.Y.Hu.
Botanical description: Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is also known as Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet., Leonurus sibiricus auct.non L., or Leonurus japonicus Houtt.; it is commonly known as Oriental motherwort, Chinese motherwort, or Yì Mǔ Cǎo. An annual or biennial herb, the plant grows up to 60~100 cm high. The stem is upright, quadrangular, and mucoreous. Leaves are opposite; phylliforms (leaf shapes) are multifarious; Petioles are 0.5~8 cm long. Basal leaves of annual plants have long stalks, leaves are slightly circular, 4~8 cm in diameter, 5-9-lobed, lobes have 2-3 blunt teeth, base is cordate; leaves in the middle of stems are short stipitate, trisected, lobes are nearly lanceolate, the central lobes are often 3-lobed again, lobes on both sides are lobed or 2-lobed, the width of terminal lobule is usually over 3 mm, apex is acuminate, margin is sparsely serrate or subentire; the leaves on the uppermost part are not divided, linear, subsessile, the upper surface is green, strigous, the under surface is pea green (pale green), is covered with sparse pilose and glandular points.
Verticillasters are axillary, has 8~15 flowers; bracteoles are spinous, impedicellate; calyx is campaniform (bell-shaped), outside is adaxially puberulent, apex is 5-dentate lobed, spiny, lower 2 teeth are longer than above 3 teeth, persistent; corolla is labiate, faint red or prunus (violet-red), 9~12 mm long, outside has pilose, the upper lip and lower lip are nearly equal lengths, the upper lip is oblong, entire, margin has cilia, lower lip is 3-lobed, central lobes are bigger, obcordate; 4 stamens, didynamous, inserted near the middle part on the inner surface of corolla, filaments are sparsely covered with scale hairs, anthers are 2-loculed; 1 pistil, ovary is 4-lobed, style is filiform (threadlike), slightly longer than stamens, stigma is 2-lobed.
Nutlets (nucule) are brown and prismatic, the apex is wide and truncated, and the base is cuneate, 2~2.5 mm long, about 1.5 mm in diameter. Its flowering period is from June to September, the fruiting period is from July to October.
Ecological Environment: Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu grows on ridges of fields, roadsides, stream sides, or grassland on hillsides, especially in the sunny zone, in areas at altitudes up to 3,000 meters above sea level. This species is mainly distributed in China, and south areas of Asia, and is also distributed to North America and South America, Europe, and other areas.
Growth characteristics: The plant Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu prefers a warm and moist climate, and can be cultivated in the area at altitudes below 1,000 meters above sea level. Its soil requirements are not strict, it is appropriate to choose a sunny field, fertile sandy loam with good drainage for cultivation.
Characters of herbs: Fresh motherwort: In the seedling stage, there is no stem, basal leaves are round and cordate, 5~9 lobed, and each lobe has 2~3 blunt teeth. At the early stage of flowering, the stem is square column-shaped, the upper part is many-branched, and the four sides are concave into longitudinal grooves, 30~60 cm long, and 0.2~0.5 cm in diameter. The surface is turquoise, and the texture of the herb is fresh and tender, with a pith in the middle of the fracture surface. The leaves are opposite, petiolate; The leaves are turquoise, fresh, and tender, the texture is fresh and tender, and has juice when kneaded; The lower stem leaves are palmately 3-lobed, the upper leaves are pinnately or shallowly 3-parted, and the lobes are entire or with a few serrations. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly bitter.
Dry motherwort: The stem is rectangular (square column-shaped), sour sides are concave and form longitudinal grooves, 30~60 cm long, about 5 mm in diameter. The surface of the stem is celadon (grayish-green) or yellowish-green, densely strigous; the herb is light, the texture of the herb is crisp, and there is a pith in the center of the cross-section. The leaves are decussate, celadon (grayish-green), and mostly fall off, wrinkled, and broken, the lower part of intact leaves are palmately 3-lobed, the leaves on the middle part are divided into many oblong linear lobes, the leaves on the upper part are pinnately parted or shallowly 3-lobed. Verticillasters are axillary, flowers are violet(purple), and mostly fall off. Phyllary on the inflorescence is entire or with sparse teeth, the calyx is persistent, tubular, and yellowish green, there are 3 nutlets inside the calyx, and the corolla is bilabiate. The length of the segment is about 2 cm. The herb has a slight odor, and a mild taste. The herb of a better grade is tender, leafy, and grayish-green.
Pharmacological actions: ①.exciting effect on the uterus of various animals and can increase the frequency and amplitude of uterine contraction; ②.increase coronary flow and slow heart rate; ③.improve the microcirculation disorder and inhibit the experimental thrombosis; ④.improve kidney function, make urine volume increase significantl; ⑤.inhibiting dermatophytes.
Medicinal efficacy: Activate blood circulation and regulating menstruation, remove blood stasis, eliminate water retention, induce diuresis and detumescence (reduce swelling), clear heat, and detoxify. It is indicated for menoxenia (irregular menses or irregular menstruation), dysmenorrhea (abdominal pain after menstruation) and menoschesis, threatened abortion and dystocia (difficult labour), lochiorrhagia, detention of the afterbirth, postpartum fainting of blood vertigo, abdominal pain of blood stasis, metrorrhagia and uterine bleeding, hematuria (blood urination), bloodletting, diarrhea, dysuria (difficult urination), edema and oliguria (less urine), carbuncle swelling sores, sores swelling toxic, traumatic injury, etc.
Administration of Herba Leonuri (Yì Mǔ Cǎo):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Herba Leonuri (Yì Mǔ Cǎo)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 9~30 grams, fresh herb 12~40 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 3~6 qian (about 9~18 grams), prepare to paste, or prepare to pill, powder. Externally: wash with water decoction, or mashed and apply stick; ③.Internally: water decoction, 10~15 grams, prepare to paste or prepared to pill, powder. Externally: proper amount, wash with water decoction, or mashed and apply stick.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:should forbidden using the herb Herba Leonuri during pregnancy. The herb Herba Leonuri should not be prepared with ironware.
(2).Leonurus sibiricus L.
Botanical description: Leonurus sibiricus L is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is commonly known as Xì Yè Yì Mǔ Cǎo, Thin-Leaf Motherwort, or Siberian motherwort. An annual or biennial herb, the plant grows up to 80 cm. Stems are upright, quadrangular, strigous, leaves are opposite. Petioles are 0.5~5 cm long; the lowest part of the leaves are caducous, the leaves on the middle part are oval (egg-shaped), palmately 3 cracked, about 5 cm long, 4 cm wide, lobes are oblong-rhombic, then pinnately divided into 3-lobed linear lobules, usually, 1~3 mm wide; terminal leaves are distinctly 3-lobed, lobules are linear, subsessile, the upper surface is green, sparsely strigous, the under surface is pale green (pea green), sparsely strigous and covered with glandular points, leaf veins are conspicuously convex.
Verticillasters are axillary, pluriflorous (multiflorous); impedicellate; bracteoles are needle-like, shorter than hypanthium (calyx tube), strigous, calyx is campaniform (bell-shaped), outside is pubescent, the apex is 5-dentate lobed, has pointed spines, above 3 teeth are shorter than lower 2 teeth, persistent; corolla is labiate, faint red or prunus (violet-red), 15~20 mm long, outside is densely covered with pilose, the upper lip is about 1/4 longer than the length of the lower lip, the upper lip is oblong, entire, the lower lip is 3-lobed, central lobes are obovate; 4 stamens, didynamous, inserted near the middle part on the inner surface of the corolla, filaments are sparsely covered with scale hairs, anthers are 2-loculed; 1 pistil, ovary is 4-lobed, style is filiform (threadlike), slightly longer than stamens, stigma is 2-lobed.
Nutlets (nucules) are brown, and prismatic, the apex is wider and truncated, and the base is cuneate, about 2.5 mm long. Its flowering period is from June to September, the fruiting period is from July to October.
Ecological Environment: Leonurus sibiricus L grows on stony hillsides, sandy grassland, or a pine forest, in an area at altitude up to 1,500 meters above sea level. This species is mainly distributed in the northern area, west north, and other areas of China. This species is also distributed to other areas of Asia including Siberia, and nowadays, it is distributed to other parts of the world, including North America, South and Central America continents.
Characters of herbs: The leaves in the middle of the stem are oval (egg-shaped), the base is broadly cuneate, and palmatisect, and the lobes are pinnately divided into linear lobules. The bract leaves on the inflorescence are conspicuously three-parted, and the lobules are linear. The herb of a better grade is tender, leafy (foliose), and celadon (sage green).
(3).Leonurus cardiaca L.
Botanical description: Leonurus cardiaca L is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is commonly known as Grayish-white Motherwort, and other names are throw-wort, lion's ear, and lion's tail, has a squarish stem that is clad in short hairs and is often purplish, especially near the nodes. The opposite leaves have serrated margins and are palmately lobed with long petioles; the basal leaves are cuneate (wedge-shaped) with three points, while the upper leaves have five. They are slightly piliferous at the upper part and grayish beneath.
Flowers appear in leaf axils on the upper part of the plant and have three-lobed bracts. The calyx of each flower is bell-shaped and has five lobes. The corolla is irregular, 8~12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long, fused, long-tubed with two lips. The upper lip is convex and covered with white hair, and the lower lip is three-lobed and downward-curving and spotted with red. The flowers are pink to lilac, often with furry lower lips. There are 4 stamens, two short and two longer, and the fruit is a 4-loculed schizocarp. The plant grows to about 60~100 cm (24~39 inches) in height and blooms from July to August.
Ecological Environment: Leonurus cardiaca grows beside roadsides, vacant fields, waste ground, rubbish dumps, and other disturbed areas. This species was originally from Central Asia and southeastern Europe, native to the southeastern part of Europe and Central Asia where it has been cultivated since ancient times, it is now found worldwide, spread largely due to its use as a herbal remedy.
It is distinguished from all other British labiates by the leaves, which are deeply and palmately cut into five lobes or three-pointed segments, and by the prickly calyx teeth of its flowers. When not in flower, it resembles Mugwort in habit.
From the perennial root-stock rise the square, stout stems, 2 to 3 feet (60.92~91.44 cm) high, upright and branched, principally below, the angles are prominent. The leaves are very closely set, the radical ones on slender, long petioles, ovate, lobed, and toothed, those on the stem, 2 to 3 inches (5.08~7.62 cm) long, petioled, cuneate (wedge-shaped); the lower is roundish, palmately five-lobed, the lobes trifid at the apex, the upper three-fid, coarsely serrate, reticulated veined, the veinlets are prominent beneath, with slender, curved hairs. The uppermost leaves and bracts are very narrow and entire, or only with a tooth on each side, and bear in their axils numerous whorls of pinkish, or nearly white, sessile flowers, six to fifteen in a whorl. The corollas, though whitish on the outside, are stained with paler or darker purple within. They have rather short tubes and nearly flat upper lips, very piliferous at the upper part, with long, woolly hairs. The two front stamens are the longest, and the anthers are sprinkled with hard, shining dots.
The plant blossoms in August. It has a rather pungent odor and a very bitter taste. It is a dull green, the leaves are paler below, pubescent, especially on the angles of the stem and the underside of the leaves, the hairs varying much in length and abundance.
The name of the genus, Leonurus, in Greek, signifies Lion's tail, from some fancied resemblance in the plant. The plant motherwort is also known by the name Lion's Ear. Motherwort originally came from the Central Asia area but has now spread to all temperate areas of the world, primarily as a garden plant, but also as an escaped weed. The leaves and flowers of this mint family plant are used medicinally. In Chinese herbal medicine, seeds are also employed. The use of Motherwort is practically the same in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and European folk medicine - to regulate menses and treat associated conditions. The genus name Leonurus is derived from the Latin word "Leo", meaning "lions", and the Greek word "oura", meaning "tail", which describes the leaf's shaggy shape (like a lion's tail). The species name cardiaca is from the Greek word "kardiaca", meaning "heart". The Chinese name for this plant is “Yi Mu Cao”, meaning “benefit mother herb”.
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1.Introduction of Yi Mu Cao:Motherwort Herb or Herba Leonuri.
✵The article gives records of the herb Motherwort Herb, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source one plant species, ①.Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu., and other two usable plant species, ②.Leonurus sibiricus L., ③.Leonurus cardiaca L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plant species, the features of the herb Motherwort Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Yì Mǔ Cǎo.
Botanical description: Leonurus artemisia Lour. S.Y.Hu is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is also known as Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet., Leonurus sibiricus auct.non L., or Leonurus japonicus Houtt.; it is commonly known as Oriental motherwort, Chinese motherwort, or Yì Mǔ Cǎo. An annual or biennial herb, the plant grows up to 60~100 cm high. The stem is upright, quadrangular, and mucoreous. Leaves are opposite; phylliforms (leaf shapes) are multifarious; Petioles are 0.5~8 cm long. Basal leaves of annual plants have long stalks, leaves are slightly circular, 4~8 cm in diameter, 5-9-lobed, lobes have 2-3 blunt teeth, base is cordate; leaves in the middle of stems are short stipitate, trisected, lobes are nearly lanceolate, the central lobes are often 3-lobed again, lobes on both sides are lobed or 2-lobed, the width of terminal lobule is usually over 3 mm, apex is acuminate, margin is sparsely serrate or subentire; the leaves on the uppermost part are not divided, linear, subsessile, the upper surface is green, strigous, the under surface is pea green (pale green), is covered with sparse pilose and glandular points.
Characters of herbs: Fresh motherwort: In the seedling stage, there is no stem, basal leaves are round and cordate, 5~9 lobed, and each lobe has 2~3 blunt teeth. At the early stage of flowering, the stem is square column-shaped, the upper part is many-branched, and the four sides are concave into longitudinal grooves, 30~60 cm long, and 0.2~0.5 cm in diameter. The surface is turquoise, and the texture of the herb is fresh and tender, with a pith in the middle of the fracture surface. The leaves are opposite, petiolate; The leaves are turquoise, fresh, and tender, the texture is fresh and tender, and has juice when kneaded; The lower stem leaves are palmately 3-lobed, the upper leaves are pinnately or shallowly 3-parted, and the lobes are entire or with a few serrations. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly bitter.
Botanical description: Leonurus sibiricus L is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is commonly known as Xì Yè Yì Mǔ Cǎo, Thin-Leaf Motherwort, or Siberian motherwort. An annual or biennial herb, the plant grows up to 80 cm. Stems are upright, quadrangular, strigous, leaves are opposite. Petioles are 0.5~5 cm long; the lowest part of the leaves are caducous, the leaves on the middle part are oval (egg-shaped), palmately 3 cracked, about 5 cm long, 4 cm wide, lobes are oblong-rhombic, then pinnately divided into 3-lobed linear lobules, usually, 1~3 mm wide; terminal leaves are distinctly 3-lobed, lobules are linear, subsessile, the upper surface is green, sparsely strigous, the under surface is pale green (pea green), sparsely strigous and covered with glandular points, leaf veins are conspicuously convex.
Botanical description: Leonurus cardiaca L is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and Leonurus genus, it is commonly known as Grayish-white Motherwort, and other names are throw-wort, lion's ear, and lion's tail, has a squarish stem that is clad in short hairs and is often purplish, especially near the nodes. The opposite leaves have serrated margins and are palmately lobed with long petioles; the basal leaves are cuneate (wedge-shaped) with three points, while the upper leaves have five. They are slightly piliferous at the upper part and grayish beneath.
Ecological Environment: Leonurus cardiaca grows beside roadsides, vacant fields, waste ground, rubbish dumps, and other disturbed areas. This species was originally from Central Asia and southeastern Europe, native to the southeastern part of Europe and Central Asia where it has been cultivated since ancient times, it is now found worldwide, spread largely due to its use as a herbal remedy.
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