Just look at her! I imagine this plant as a mom with unbrushed hair that is just losing her mind and shaking her head and screaming. Surprisingly, I’ve had folks from out of state nod knowingly and say, “Oh. You grow your own.” No – it’s not marijuana. Please don’t steal and smoke all my motherwort.

Motherwort is a slightly cool and dry plant. I like it best in tea (perhaps it is the tea routine that allows for slowing down as well) blended with other herbs. It does tend to taste bitter on its own. We use the aerial parts (leaves and flower buds) for herbal usage. For tea, a tablespoon to a cup of hot water, steeped for 10-20 minutes. As a tincture, 20-40 drops 1-4 times a day.

Think back to that poor frazzled mama: she is anxious, her blood pressure is up, she can’t sleep, she’s got some nerve pain, and her period should have started 2 days ago. Maybe there’s a little hyperthyroid issue going on too. Motherwort is the perfect herb for her.

Motherwort has been used for atrial fib, palpitations, nerve pain from herpes, insomnia, anxiety. Another species (L. heterophyllus) has been shown to thin blood (another plus if you are treating a-fib during the zombie apocalypse). It is also indicated for a ‘stuck’ or late menses.

Motherwort is a member of the Lamiaceae family with other mints, so it does spread. Right now, there is a battle in my front yard between horehound and motherwort (both mints) as to who is taking over the whole yard. It really is a lovely plant and bees like it, but it will take over the world if not controlled.

Because of its emmenagogue (uterine stimulant) effects, motherwort is not for anyone that is pregnant.

Seems with the world the way it is today, we could all use a lovely cup of motherwort tea (with some lemon balm, skullcap, betony, and rum thrown in)!