1. Description:
Oriental Motherwort (scientific name: Leonurus artemisia （Laur.）S. Y. Hu F, also known as Chinese motherwort, Leonurus japonicus, Chinese: Yi Mu, 茺蔚, 益母草, 红花艾, a species of annual or biennial flowering plant in genus Leonurus (Lamiaceae family). Widely grown in China, Russia, North Korea, Japan, Tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the plant can grow up to 1.2 meters. The whole plant of Oriental Motherwort acts as a bitter tonic, stasis eliminator and analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM). It is a major herb used in treating various gynecologic diseases.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Oriental Motherwort is considered to have sweet, pungent, warm and non-toxic properties and to be associated with the heart, liver and bladder meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Oriental Motherwort & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Gynecologic Diseases and Disorders
Pills made with flower, leaves and seeds of oriental motherwort and honey is used in treating various gynecologic diseases.
3.2 Pregnancy
A decoction of cirsium setosum (rhizome and leaves) and oriental motherwort is used in treating bleeding and severe pain after a suction, manual or medication abortion.
Pills made with flower, leaves and seeds of oriental motherwort and honey is taken with Angelica sinensis soup to treat abnormal and painful fetal movement.
A decoction of fresh oriental motherwort is taken with wine to help promote blood flow to remove stasis in women after delivery.
3.3 Excretory System
A decoction of fresh oriental motherwort is taken with water to heal hematuria (presence of blood or red blood cells in the urine).
Dried oriental motherwort and ash from burning salted plums are powdered and taken with ginger soup to treat dysentery and severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.
3.4 Skin Health
A decoction of oriental motherwort is used externally to treat acute mastitis.
Smashed oriental motherwort is applied externally to threat deep-rooted boils.
3.5 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
Juice from fresh oriental motherwort is taken orally to treat swelling and throat tightness.
A decoction of crocus sativus (2g), salvia miltiorrhiza root 15g), oriental motherwort (30g) and nutgrass root (12g) is taken orally to relieve postpartum back pain.
3.6 Infantile Malnutrition
Cooked congee with fresh oriental motherwort leaves is taken to treat infantile malnutrition.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.