Motherwort Herb (yimucao): A Trusted Chinese Medicine for Women’s Health

Motherwort, scientifically known as Leonurus japonicus and commonly called Yi Mu Cao, is a prized herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the Lamiaceae family.

Used for centuries, its fresh or dried above-ground parts are harvested for their potent effects in promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, reducing swelling, and clearing blood stasis.

Documented in Shennong’s Herbal Classic as a top-grade herb for treating women’s blood stasis, edema, and postpartum conditions, and further detailed in Compendium of Materia Medica for menstrual and postpartum care, Motherwort remains a cornerstone of gynecological treatment in TCM.

Motherwort (yimucao)

Plant Characteristics of Motherwort Herb

Motherwort’s appearance varies by growth stage. In its seedling phase, it lacks stems, with rounded basal leaves featuring 5–9 shallow lobes and blunt teeth.

During early flowering, its square, branched stems grow 30–60 cm tall, with a tender, green exterior and pithy core. Leaves are alternate, petioled, and green, with lower leaves palmately 3-lobed and upper leaves pinnately divided.

The plant has a faint aroma and slightly bitter taste. Dried Motherwort has gray-green or yellow-green stems, wrinkled gray-green leaves, lavender flowers with tubular calyces, and a two-lipped corolla, often cut into 2 cm segments for medicinal use.

Motherwort (yimucao)

Varieties of Motherwort Herb

Motherwort varieties are distinguished by growth environment and appearance, with no significant differences in medicinal value:

• Wild Motherwort: Found on hillsides or roadsides, it has smaller plants and finer leaves.

• Cultivated Motherwort: Grown for higher yields, it features larger plants and broader leaves with stable quality due to controlled conditions.

• White Motherwort: Characterized by white flowers, otherwise similar to common Motherwort.

• Purple Motherwort: Notable for purple flowers, with comparable properties.

Cultivated Motherwort is preferred for its consistent quality, though all varieties share core therapeutic benefits.

Motherwort Herb Extract 5:1 Concentrated Granules

Buy Now

Indications and Effects

Motherwort excels in treating gynecological conditions through its ability to promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, clear blood stasis, and reduce swelling. Key indications include:

• Menstrual Irregularities: Relieves irregular or scanty periods by regulating the endocrine system and supporting endometrial shedding.

• Dysmenorrhea: Eases menstrual pain caused by blood stasis or cold-damp stagnation.

• Postpartum Recovery: Reduces postpartum bleeding, promotes placental expulsion, and aids uterine recovery.

• Pregnancy Complications: Supports smooth delivery by enhancing uterine contractions and blood supply, reducing dystocia risks.

• Other Conditions: Treats metrorrhagia, hematuria, diarrhea, abdominal pain from stasis, and inflammatory issues like abscesses.

Motherwort (yimucao)

Its anti-inflammatory and blood-moving properties make it a versatile remedy for women’s health and beyond.

Modern Applications

Modern research validates Motherwort’s efficacy, attributing its benefits to alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Its applications include:

• Gynecological Health: Treats irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum issues by improving blood flow and hormonal balance.

• Cardiovascular Support: Lowers blood pressure and supports heart health by dilating blood vessels, aiding conditions like hypertension and coronary heart disease.

• Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tumor: Manages arthritis, enteritis, and supports cancer treatment through immune modulation.

• Immune Enhancement: Boosts immunity to prevent various diseases.

Motherwort (yimucao)

These properties make Motherwort a valuable component in TCM formulas and health supplements.

Dietary Therapy with Motherwort

Motherwort’s medicinal benefits extend to dietary recipes that support women’s health:

• Motherwort, Hawthorn, and Brown Sugar Water: Boil 10 grams of Motherwort with hawthorn and brown sugar. This drink relieves dysmenorrhea by promoting blood circulation and easing pain, ideal for cold or stasis-related menstrual discomfort.

• Motherwort Eggs: Cook 10 grams of Motherwort with eggs, red dates, and brown sugar. This nourishing dish supports menstruation and postpartum recovery.

• Motherwort Porridge: Simmer 10 grams of Motherwort with rice and brown sugar. It regulates periods, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain.

• Motherwort Soup: Boil Motherwort with other herbs to soothe the liver and clear heat, addressing irritability or internal heat.

These simple recipes harness Motherwort’s therapeutic properties for daily wellness.

益母草紅糖雞蛋

Precautions for Use

While Motherwort is highly effective, observe these precautions:

• Allergic Reactions: Perform an allergy test before use, as some may be sensitive to Motherwort.

• Dosage Control: Adhere to recommended doses (typically 9–15 grams daily) to avoid overuse, which may cause side effects.

• Pregnancy Caution: Pregnant women, especially in early stages, should use under medical supervision to prevent miscarriage risks.

Chinese Name	益母草
Chinese Pinyin	Yimucao
English Name	Common Motherwort Herb
Latin Pharmaceutical Name	Leonuri Herba
Category	Whole herbs
Origin	The fresh or dried aerial portion of Leonurus japonicas Houtt.(Lamiaceae)
Production Regions	Produced all around China.
Macroscopic Features	Fresh yi mu cao: The seedling stage has no stem, heart-like leaves grow out from base, 5~9 shallow lobes at the edge, each lobe has 2~3 blunt teeth. At the early flowering stage, the stem is square and pillar-like, upper portion is often branched, four sides indented into longitudinal grooves, 30~60cm long, 0.2~0.5cm diameter; externally blue-green, tender texture, fractured surface center has pith. Alternating leaves, with stem; leaf is blue-green, tender texture, juicy when twisted; lower portion has 3 palmate lobes leaves growing from the stem, upper leaves are pinnatipartite or 3 shallow lobes, entire lobe or with few saw-teeth. faint odor, slightly bitter. Dried yi mu cao: stem surface is grayish-green or yellowish-green, light in weight, pliable texture, fractured surface center has pith. Leaf is grayish-green, often wrinkles, broken, easily broken. verticillaster grows at the axils, small flower is pale purple, calyx is tubular, corolla has two lips. Decoction pieces are about 2cm long.
Quality Requirements	Superior medicinal material has tender branch, yellowish-green color, with leaves and flowers.
Properties	Acrid, bitter, cool.
Functions	Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, adjusts menstruation, eliminates water. Apply to irregular menses, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and difficult labor, retention of afterbirth, postpartum anemic fainting, bloody phlegm and stomachache, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, hematuria, bloody diarrhea, furuncles and ulcers.