Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) has a long history of use in traditional Western herbal medicine, particularly for its calming effects on the nervous system and its reputed ability to support heart and emotional health. Traditionally, it has been used as a nervine, a class of herbs believed to calm, strengthen, and support the nervous system, especially in cases of anxiety, nervous tension, and emotional upheaval. Some herbalists specifically recommend motherwort to promote relaxation and reduce symptoms of anxiety, which are mediated through the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” response). The herb is also associated with alleviating palpitations and stress-related cardiovascular symptoms, conditions often linked to nervous system imbalance. Despite these traditional claims, scientific studies directly evaluating motherwort’s influence on the parasympathetic nervous system are limited and primarily preclinical. Some animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated mild sedative, antispasmodic, and hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effects, which could theoretically support parasympathetic activity. However, evidence from human clinical trials is sparse, with only a few small studies suggesting mild anxiolytic effects. Thus, while motherwort’s use for nervous system support is well established in herbal traditions, strong scientific validation is currently lacking, and most recommendations rely on historical and anecdotal evidence rather than modern clinical research.

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