Common Name: Chinese Motherwort

General Information

Leonurus sibiricus is an erect, annual to biennial plant that can grow 20 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

See the notes under medicinal uses.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern and central China, Mongolia, southern Siberia.

Habitat

Stony and steppe slopes, pine forests and occasionally as a weed of cultivated land[]. By the sea shore and along the margins of marshes and pools[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
Prefers a well-drained moist soil in sun or partial shade[]. Prefers a poor soil[].
There is some confusion over the correct name for this species, it should quite probably be called L. japonicus.

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, , ]. A sweetish flavour[].

Root - cooked with other foods[, ]. This probably means that it is used as a flavouring[].

Medicinal

Chinese motherwort is unusual amongst Chinese herbs in that it is often prescribed for use on its own and not in a mixture with other plants[]. The whole plant is antibacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypnotic, nervine, oxytocic, stomachic, tonic, uterine stimulant[, , , , , , , , ]. The seeds have a similar action to the plant, but are a less effective diuretic and depurative[]. The plant is used in the treatment of painful and excessive menstruation, post-partum bleeding, oedema, kidney complaints, kidney stones, eczema and abscesses[, ]. A tincture is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever[]. The plant stimulates uterine contractions and should not therefore be used when in the earlier stages of pregnancy[]. The plant is harvested when in flower but before the seeds have set, and is dried for later use[].
The plant contains about 0.05% of an alkaloid called leonurine[]. This has a curare-like effect on the motor-endings of the nervous system, acting in small doses as a stimulant to the respiratory system but in large doses causing respiratory paralysis[].

Other Uses

Yields an essential oil[]. No more details are given.

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.