Motherwort: Lion’s Heart
Motherwort
Leonorus Cardiaca
The end of July and beginning of August is a potent time for connecting with the energy of motherwort.
Motherwort is a plant I grow in my garden, and that I’ve gotten to know well over the past few years. I make and use motherwort tincture, and have also shared it with birthing parents in my care and friends moving through grief and transition.
Astrologically, motherwort is associated with the sign of Leo, ruled by the sun, and which the sun moves through in July and August.
In the naming of plants, the suffix -wort is from the Old English, and simply means “plant.” It came to denote plants that were known to be beneficial in some way, as opposed to the suffix -weed. As the name implies, motherwort has been used for centuries to bolster the physical and emotional health of new mothers/parents.
The latin name also tells us about its energy: Leonorus Cardiaca means lion’s heart. So - Motherwort is a heart strengthener, and not just for new parents. It helps anyone undergoing a time of great change, or experiencing grief, or moving into a new role in life.
Contemporary Western medical research has identified the chemical compounds within motherwort that calm heart palpitations, reduce inflammation, and assist with menopausal anxiety. It is also widely used in Chinese medicine for these and other applications.
Motherwort can grow tall - it stands as tall as me in my garden by the middle of the summer, and it blooms with tiny purple flowers. The calyx surrounding the flowers is spiky and quite sharp. This is an important part of the medicine of motherwort.
Like the rose, and other thorned plants, motherwort protects its flowers and seeds with its sharp spikes. In this way, it teaches us that strong boundaries protect and support the flourishing of the courageous heart.
Some contemplations to explore:
What boundaries can I create in my life, in order to create safe space for my heart to flourish?
In what areas am I seeking to be more courageous?
If my heart were to speak, what would it say?
