Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Motherwort
For the health condition: Post Partum Weakness
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese Motherwort (Leonurus japonicus, known as "Yi Mu Cao" in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. Its primary traditional application is in gynecology, particularly to support women's health during and after childbirth. According to traditional Chinese medical texts, Chinese Motherwort is thought to invigorate blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and regulate menstruation. Postpartum women were often prescribed Yi Mu Cao to support uterine involution (return of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size), promote lochia discharge (the postpartum vaginal discharge), and alleviate general weakness or fatigue following childbirth.
Despite its widespread use in traditional settings, robust scientific evidence supporting these specific applications remains limited. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that Leonurus japonicus may have uterotonic and anti-inflammatory effects, which could theoretically support postpartum recovery. However, well-designed clinical trials in postpartum women are lacking. Reviews of Chinese herbal medicine in obstetrics recognize its traditional role but generally call for more rigorous research. Thus, while its use is justified by tradition and there is some preclinical data, the scientific validation for using Chinese Motherwort specifically to treat postpartum weakness is still insufficient.
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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