Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidenceStress & mood

Motherwort

A traditional European herb for palpitations and nervous tension. Human evidence amounts to one small open-label study; the rest is laboratory and animal work.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Anxiety and sleep in hypertensive patients Limited evidence

    An open-label study in 50 patients with stage 1–2 hypertension and accompanying anxiety and sleep disorders reported improvement in anxiety and depression scores and a modest fall in blood pressure over 28 days of a motherwort oil extract. There was no placebo group and no blinding.

  • Cardiac and calming effects Limited evidence

    A review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Leonurus cardiaca describes negative chronotropic and sedative activity in isolated tissue and animal models, attributed to alkaloids and iridoids. These mechanisms have not been confirmed in controlled human trials.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe single clinical study used 1,200 mg/day of an oil extract. Traditional use is 2–4 g of dried herb as tea, or a tincture, two to three times daily; no optimal dose has been established.
SafetyMotherwort is a uterine stimulant and must be avoided in pregnancy. It may add to the effect of sedatives and of heart-rate-lowering or blood-pressure drugs, and has been associated with drowsiness. Anyone with a diagnosed arrhythmia should be evaluated medically rather than self-treating palpitations.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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