Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) for nervous tension and heart-related nervousness: the European traditional-use statement, one small trial, and the pregnancy contraindication.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
What is Motherwort good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Traditional use for nervous tension
Not enough evidenceIn Europe, motherwort is accepted for relieving nervous tension, once a doctor has excluded serious conditions. This rests on long-standing use, not on clinical trials.
Supplements: Tradition is not proof of effect; clinical evidence is insufficient.
Traditional use for nervous heart complaints (palpitations)
Not enough evidenceMotherwort is traditionally used for nervous conditions of the heart such as palpitations. Palpitations need a doctor's assessment first.
Supplements: No good trials found; do not use it to treat a rhythm problem on your own.
Small uncontrolled study: anxiety, sleep and blood pressure
Preliminary or mixedFifty people with stage 1 or 2 high blood pressure plus anxiety and sleep problems took an oil extract for 28 days. The authors reported better anxiety and mood scores and blood pressure, with minimal side effects.
Supplements: Preliminary only; the European committee said no firm conclusion on blood pressure could be drawn.
Lab and animal research
Lab or animal research onlyNo laboratory or animal findings on Leonurus cardiaca were read for this record, so none are claimed.
Supplements: No claim made.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (2)
- Reproductive HealthDocumented risk
Motherwort medicines must not be used during pregnancy, according to the European summary. Safety during breastfeeding has not been established.
- Reproductive SystemDocumented risk
Motherwort medicines must not be used during pregnancy, according to the European summary.
Body parts (1)
- Reproductive OrgansDocumented risk
Must not be used in pregnancy per the European summary.
Documented risks and interactions (6)
- Risk: pregnancy. Motherwort medicines must not be used during pregnancy. Safety while breastfeeding has not been established.
- Risk: children and adolescents. Use is limited to adults because of a lack of data in people under 18.
- Risk: may affect driving and machines. The European monograph, as summarised on our page, says motherwort may impair the ability to drive and use machines.
- Interactions and side effects not well described. No side effects had been reported when the committee assessed it, and the public summary does not address drug interactions. That is not proof of safety, especially with heart or blood pressure medicines.
- Duration of use. The European summary says to see a doctor if symptoms last longer than 4 weeks or get worse.
- Quality and species identification. Check the label names Leonurus cardiaca and the plant part. Leonurus japonicus is a different species, and its findings do not apply.
Key cautions first
- Motherwort medicines must not be used during pregnancy, according to the European Medicines Agency and its monograph. [1][2]
- Palpitations or other heart symptoms need a doctor's assessment first. The European statement applies only after serious conditions have been excluded by a doctor. [1]
- Do not use motherwort to treat blood pressure or a heart rhythm problem on your own. If you take heart or blood pressure medicines, ask the prescriber or pharmacist before adding any herb. See herbs and diabetes, blood pressure and heart medicines.
Overview
Motherwort is a flowering herb used traditionally in Europe for nervous tension and for nervous conditions of the heart such as palpitations (more noticeable heartbeats). [1] This page covers the herb as a medicinal product. It gives no amounts for a person.Names, parts and look-alikes
The accepted scientific name is Leonurus cardiaca L., in the family Lamiaceae. [3] The part covered by European regulators is the flowering parts (herba). [1] Be careful with another species: Leonurus japonicus Houtt. is a separate accepted species. [3] Studies of it exist, for example on its alkaloids and inflammation of the uterine lining. [4] Findings for L. japonicus do not apply to L. cardiaca. Check the Latin name on a label (see botanical names and plant parts on labels).Traditional use (not proof of effect)
The HMPC concluded, on the basis of long-standing use, that motherwort preparations can be used to relieve symptoms of nervous tension and nervous conditions of the heart such as palpitations, after serious conditions have been excluded by a doctor. [1] The monograph was adopted on 16 September 2010. [2] The EMA summary says this rests on traditional use because there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials, with evidence of safe use for at least 30 years. [1] The EMA opened a call for scientific data for a periodic review of the monograph, with consultation dates from 15 March to 15 June 2026. [1] A clinical paper describes the herb as used traditionally for sedative, blood-pressure-lowering and heart-tonic effects. [5]What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nervous tension, palpitations | Traditional use accepted by the European committee; clinical evidence insufficient. [1] | Traditional use only | Herbal tea or extracts, adults |
| Anxiety, sleep and blood pressure together | A study of 50 patients with stage 1 or 2 hypertension plus anxiety and sleep problems used an oil extract for 28 days. Authors reported improved anxiety/depression symptoms and blood pressure, with minimal side effects. The abstract does not mention a placebo or comparison group. [5] The EMA committee also considered a clinical study of this kind and said a possible blood-pressure effect could not be firmly concluded because the study was short and had no comparator. [1] | Insufficient evidence (small, uncontrolled) | Adults with hypertension and anxiety; oil extract |
| Other uses (menopause, heart disease, sleep alone) | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for Leonurus cardiaca and motherwort with clinical, randomized and patient terms and found only the study above for this species. | No good evidence found | None |
Forms and why they matter
The EMA covers dried or powdered flowering parts and liquid extracts made with a solvent such as ethanol; these are available as herbal tea or in liquid and solid forms taken by mouth. [1] The trial above used an oil extract, which is a different preparation from tea or tincture, so its result cannot be applied to them. [5]Safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: contraindicated in pregnancy; safety during breastfeeding has not been established. [2] See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Medicines: the monograph lists no reported interactions. [2] That is not proof that none exist, and interactions with heart medicines were not described in the other sources we read. Ask a pharmacist; see how interactions work.
- Children and adolescents: use under 18 has not been established because of a lack of data; the EMA says use only in adults. [2][1]
- Side effects: none had been reported at the time of the assessment, and the monograph lists none known. [1][2]
- Driving: the monograph says it may impair the ability to drive and use machines. [2]
- Duration: the EMA says to see a doctor if symptoms continue longer than 4 weeks or worsen. [1]
- Liver, kidney, surgery, allergy, older adults: not described in the sources we read. Tell the surgical team about any herb before a procedure (see supplements before surgery).
Quality
Make sure the label names Leonurus cardiaca and the plant part. See quality testing and certifications.Related
Hawthorn and herbs for anxiety and stress.Frequently asked questions
Is motherwort safe in pregnancy?
No. The European summary says motherwort medicines must not be taken during pregnancy. [1]
Does motherwort help with palpitations?
It has a traditional-use status in Europe for nervous heart complaints after serious conditions are ruled out by a doctor, but clinical evidence is insufficient. [1]
Can motherwort lower blood pressure?
One small uncontrolled study reported lower blood pressure, but the EMA said firm conclusions could not be drawn. [1][5]
Is *Leonurus japonicus* the same plant?
No. Leonurus japonicus is a separate species, and findings for it do not apply to Leonurus cardiaca. [3]
Is motherwort safe for children?
Use under 18 has not been established because of a lack of adequate data. [2]
References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), HMPC. Leonuri cardiacae herba (motherwort): herbal medicinal product, summary for the public. Read 2026-10-22.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), HMPC. Community herbal monograph on Leonurus cardiaca L., herba. EMA/HMPC/127428/2010, 16 September 2010. Read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, species match: Leonurus cardiaca and Leonurus japonicus. Read 2026-10-22.
- Dai O, et al. Effect of Leonurus japonicus alkaloids on endometrial inflammation and its mechanisms. J Ethnopharmacol 2025. PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- Shikov AN, et al. Effect of Leonurus cardiaca oil extract in patients with arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders. Phytother Res 2011. PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.