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Herbs & Plants

Leonurus japonicus

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Botanical Name :Leonurus japonicus
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Leonurus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Species: L. japonicus
Common Name : Chinese motherwort

Habitat:Native to Asia, including Korea and Japan, China to Cambodia. E. Asia – China.   Waste places, hillsides, roadsides and gardens. Sunny areas to elevations of 3,400 metres all over China.

Description:
It is  a herbaceous annual or biennial flowering plant, growing from taproots. The stems are upright growing to a height of 30 to 120 cm. The flowers are sessile and produced in verticillasters. The calyx is tubular-campanulate shaped and 6-8 mm long with broad triangle shaped teeth. The corolla is white or reddish to purplish red in color. Plants bloom from June to September. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.…CLICK & SEE

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.

Cultivation:
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils[200]. Prefers a poor soil[108]. There is some doubt over the correct name for this species, a recent work suggested that it should be L. artemisia (Lour.)S.Y.Hu. – at least in as much as it refers to the medicinal plant in China.

Propagation:
Seed – sow 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.

Medicinal Uses:
Alterative;  Antibacterial;  Antifungal;  Aphrodisiac;  Birthing aid;  Contraceptive;  Depurative;  DiureticEmmenagogueHypotensive;  Ophthalmic;
Poultice;  Vasodilator;  Vulnerary;  Women’s complaints.

It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called yìmucao (Chinese), literally “beneficial herb for mothers

This plant (and other closely related species) is commonly used in Chinese herbalism. The leaves are diuretic and are placed in bath water to relieve itching and painful shingles. The dried flowers are emmenagogue and are also used in pregnancy and to help expel the placenta after giving birth. The juice of the stems is vulnerary. The fruit is antibacterial, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, ophthalmic and vasodilator. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, nebula and conjunctivitis. The seed is aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic and is also used in the treatment of various women’s complaints. The plant was ranked number one in a survey of 250 potential antifertility plants in China. The seed is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and night blindness. The aerial parts of the plant are alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, vasodilator and vulnerary. The whole plant is decocted, either on its own or with other herbs, as an ophthalmic. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain, tumours, uterine bleeding, oedema, eczema and purulent abscess. It is also used externally as a poultice for bruises. Stimulates blood circulation. (The part of the plant used is not made clear.)
Functions: Smooth menses; Regulate menses; Invigorate blood circulation; Move blood; Reduce masses; Promote urination; Reduce swelling; Disperse phlegm; Disperse edema.

Indication: Menstrual disorders, delayed or absent menses, irregular menses, amenorrhea, dysmenorrha, endometriosis, infertility, PMS, lower abdominal pain, placenta leakage, dystocia, retained placenta, postpartum abdominal pain due to blood obstruction, postpartum pain and bleeding, hematuria, hypertension, nephritis, kidney stones, edema, dysuria, hematuria (blood in urine), lump in the breast, skin infections, skin eruptions.

The leaves are diuretic and are placed in bath water to relieve itching and painful shingles.

The dried flowers are emmenagogue and are also used in pregnancy and to help expel the placenta after giving birth.

The juice of the stems is vulnerary.

The fruit is antibacterial, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, ophthalmic and vasodilator. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, nebula and conjunctivitis.

The seed is aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic and is also used in the treatment of various women’s complaints. The plant was ranked number one in a survey of 250 potential antifertility plants in China. The seed is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and night blindness.

The aerial parts of the plant are alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, vasodilator and vulnerary.

The whole plant is decocted, either on its own or with other herbs, as an ophthalmic. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain, tumours, uterine bleeding, oedema, eczema and purulent abscess. It is also used externally as a poultice for bruises.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonurus_japonicus
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Leonurus+japonicus
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000972

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