Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Motherwort
For the health condition: Anemia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese Motherwort (Leonurus japonicus), known as "Yi Mu Cao" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used historically to support women’s reproductive health, particularly for regulating menstruation and promoting blood circulation. Its use in the context of anemia is based chiefly on its traditional indications for “tonifying the blood” and “removing blood stasis.” In TCM, anemia-like symptoms (such as pallor, fatigue, and dizziness) are often interpreted as “blood deficiency,” and herbs that “nourish blood” or “move blood” are employed.
While Chinese Motherwort is regarded as beneficial for gynecological issues such as irregular menstruation and postpartum recovery, the direct scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for treating or preventing clinical anemia (as defined by low hemoglobin or hematocrit) is limited. Some animal studies have suggested hematopoietic or circulation-promoting effects, but rigorous human clinical trials are lacking. The herb does not contain significant amounts of iron or other hematinic nutrients, so its use is not comparable to iron supplementation or pharmaceutical treatments for anemia.
In summary, Chinese Motherwort’s use for anemia is justified mainly by traditional practice and theory, rather than robust scientific validation. Its application is common in TCM for “blood deficiency” syndromes, but modern clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness for anemia as defined by Western medicine is minimal.
Other ingredients used for Anemia
alfalfaamino acids
anchovies
apple
ashwagandha
astragalus
beet
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
bovine
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
brussel sprouts
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
chlorella
coconut milk
collard
cordyceps
dog rose
dong quai root
fish protein
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
jujube
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
maca
mackerel
moringa
nettle
oat
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sardines
shiitake mushroom
soybean
spinach
spirulina
tomato
triphala
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
yeast
zinc
suma
tangerine
shen-chu
mugwort
nut grass
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
cistanche
dodder
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
trichosanthes
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
shepherd's purse
wheat germ
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
chickpea protein
17beta-[{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one,17a-ol]
17a-di methyl-bol
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Animal Tissue
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
Autumn Olive
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algal protein
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Bermuda Grass
Bidens pilosa
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef Protein
Butea monosperma
Beef
Beef liver
Buffalo
Bok Choy
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bael
Bean
Butternut
berry
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Broad Bean
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
Bird's nest
Cumin
Cowpea
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Cashew
Citrus
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Canihua
Chestnut
Cytokines
Cassava
Celosia
Currant
Duodenum
Deer Root
Dehydroascorbic acid
Dragon Fruit
Dong Quai
Dolichos
Date
Dulse
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Egg
Eclipta
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Fig
Folic Acid
Little ironweed
Molasses
Metal Salt
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Chinese Motherwort
Afterbirth PainAmenorrhea
Anemia
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Pain (general remedies for)
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Stress