Synopsis

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

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within European and Chinese herbal practices, for supporting women’s reproductive health, including amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation). Historical texts and traditional herbalists have recommended motherwort for its purported emmenagogue properties—that is, its ability to stimulate menstrual flow. The herb is believed to exert mild uterine tonic effects, helping to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate symptoms associated with menstrual irregularities.

However, scientific validation for these claims is limited. Most of the support comes from anecdotal evidence and traditional use, rather than rigorous clinical studies. Some phytochemical analyses reveal that motherwort contains leonurine and other alkaloids, which may have mild uterine-stimulating effects in animal models. Yet, there is a lack of controlled human studies specifically examining motherwort’s efficacy in treating amenorrhea.

Overall, motherwort’s use for amenorrhea is based primarily on traditional herbal practice, with a low to moderate level of evidence (rating: 2) due to the absence of substantial clinical research. As with all herbal remedies, individuals should consult healthcare professionals before using motherwort, especially if amenorrhea may have underlying medical causes requiring specific diagnosis and treatment.

More about motherwort
More about Amenorrhea

Other ingredients used for Amenorrhea

Other health conditions supported by motherwort

Products containing motherwort

Metagenics Black Cohosh Plus®
Metagenics Fem EstroPlex®