Last verified: 17 days ago
Motherwort
Also known as: Leonurus japonicus, Leonurus cardiaca, Herba Leonuri, Yi mu cao, Chinese Motherwort, Siberian Motherwort
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Traditional herb used in Chinese medicine; best evidence is for reducing bleeding after childbirth or abortion.
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What it does
Motherwort is a flowering herb used for centuries in traditional Chinese and European medicine, primarily for gynecological and cardiovascular conditions. Clinical trials show that motherwort...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies for oral supplements; injectable forms used in clinical trials
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Found in
What the Science Says
Motherwort is a flowering herb used for centuries in traditional Chinese and European medicine, primarily for gynecological and cardiovascular conditions. Clinical trials show that motherwort injection can meaningfully reduce blood loss after cesarean section or induced abortion, especially when combined with the drug oxytocin. Early lab and animal research suggests its active compounds — leonurine and stachydrine — may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and heart-protective effects, but these have not yet been confirmed in human trials.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat anxiety or stress on its own — the one study on this was tiny and combined it with melatonin. No human evidence it protects the heart or kidneys, despite promising animal data. No evidence it works as a standalone oral supplement for bleeding control. Don't expect skin anti-aging benefits from taking it as a pill — that research was done in lab cells, not people.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Motherwort injection combined with oxytocin reduces blood loss after cesarean section.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 40 mg uterine injection during surgery + 20 mg intramuscular post-surgery (injectable form only)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Motherwort injection reduces vaginal bleeding and speeds uterine recovery after induced abortion.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: Intramuscular injection; exact dose not specified in abstract
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Motherwort combined with hormonal therapy improves outcomes in dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established oral dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Motherwort tincture may modestly improve emotional state in anxious individuals, but evidence is very limited.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — clinical trials used injectable forms, not oral supplements. Oral bioavailability of active compounds like leonurine has not been established in the provided studies.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Clinical evidence is almost entirely for injectable hospital-administered forms, not the oral supplements sold in stores
- Motherwort can affect uterine contractions — pregnant women should avoid it without medical supervision
- Most mechanistic research is in animals or cell cultures, not humans — marketing claims often overstate this lab data
- One study found a higher rate of mild side effects when motherwort injection was combined with oxytocin
- Paper 4 (BPH study) used motherwort only as part of a control product — it provides no direct evidence for motherwort alone
Products Containing Motherwort
See how Motherwort is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Motherwort do?
Traditional herb used in Chinese medicine; best evidence is for reducing bleeding after childbirth or abortion.
What is the effective dose of Motherwort?
No established dose from provided studies for oral supplements; injectable forms used in clinical trials
Is Motherwort safe?
Clinical evidence is almost entirely for injectable hospital-administered forms, not the oral supplements sold in stores
What doesn't Motherwort do?
Not proven to treat anxiety or stress on its own — the one study on this was tiny and combined it with melatonin.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-07-05