Evidence supporting the use of: Motherwort
For the health condition: Amenorrhea
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.
Other ingredients used for Amenorrhea
AbutaAchyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agnuside
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anemone
Angelica
anise
Ashoka
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
ba ji tian
bethroot
blessed thistle
blue cohosh
chaste tree
chrysophanics
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
Cyathula
dioscorea
dong quai
dong quai root
estrogen
false unicorn root
fennel
fenugreek
ginger
ginseng
Huang hua
Iris
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
licorice root
maca
macaenes
Montanoa tomentosa
Motherwort
Pennyroyal
Pulsatilla
Rhodiola
rue
shen-chu
shepherd's purse
Stellaria dichotoma
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Other health conditions supported by Motherwort
AmenorrheaAnxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arrhythmia
Cardiovascular Disease
Cramps (menstrual)
Dysmenorrhea
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
Stress
Worry
