Siberian motherwort
StarLeonurus sibiricus
Synonyms: Panzeria angustifolia, Leonurus multifidus, Leonurus manshuricus, Phlomis sibirica, Panzeria sibirica, Leonurus sibiricus var. glaber, Leonurus sibiricus var. grandiflorus, Lamium sibiricum, Leonurus occidentalis, Leonurus sibiricus f. albiflorus, Leonurus manshuricus f. albiflorus, Panzeria multifida
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Thai traditional herbal medicine Leonurus sibiricus is used chiefly in women's remedies, to induce menstruation, prevent postpartum haemorrhage and improve blood circulation (Suksamrarn et al.; Leonurus genus review). It has a parallel long history in Chinese medicine, where the aerial parts (related to the drug Yi Mu Cao) are taken for painful or irregular menstruation, postpartum bleeding and incomplete recovery after childbirth, and as a diuretic. Pharmacological studies confirm uterine-contractile and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf and stem extracts (Phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Leonurus, 2017).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Leonurus sibiricus, Siberian or honeyweed motherwort, is an erect annual or biennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), reaching about 0.5–1.5 m tall, native to northern Asia (Siberia, China, Mongolia) and now naturalised widely as a weed across the tropics and subtropics. It has square, sparsely hairy stems and opposite leaves that are conspicuously palmately divided into narrow, deeply cut lobes, the upper leaves becoming progressively more dissected. The two-lipped flowers are pink to reddish-purple, borne in dense whorls (verticillasters) crowded in the axils of the upper leaves and subtended by spiny calyx teeth, forming an interrupted spike. Flowering occurs through summer and autumn. The plant is bitter and aromatic, favouring disturbed, sunny ground such as roadsides, field edges and waste places, and spreads readily from seed in warm climates.
Active Constituents
Stachydrine (proline betaine)
Pyrrolidine alkaloid / betaineConcentration: Aerial parts; a consistently reported Leonurus alkaloid
Stachydrine is a characteristic motherwort alkaloid associated with the genus's traditional uterotonic and cardiovascular actions and is used as a quality marker for Leonurus herbs.
Leonurine (SCM-198, a guanidino ester)
Guanidine alkaloidConcentration: Reported in Leonurus herb, but content varies greatly and some accessions/analyses of L. sibiricus find it low or absent (species confusion with L. japonicus is common)
Leonurine is the most-studied Leonurus alkaloid, with documented uterotonic, antiplatelet, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activity in preclinical work. Its attribution to L. sibiricus should be read cautiously because leonurine is chiefly a marker of L. japonicus and recent work reports it may be absent in true L. sibiricus.
Leosibirin / isoleosibirin / leosibiricine
Labdane / spiro-labdane diterpenoidsConcentration: Aerial parts; isolated specifically from L. sibiricus
These furanoid labdane diterpenes were isolated from and named after Leonurus sibiricus, making them among the few species-specific chemical markers of this plant.
Prehispanolone / hispanolone
Labdane diterpenoidsConcentration: Aerial parts
Prehispanolone and related labdanes (with preleoheterin and leoheterin) inhibit platelet-activating-factor (PAF) binding to platelet membranes, contributing to the herb's antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity.
Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, apigenin, genkwanin derivatives)
Flavonoid glycosides / aglyconesConcentration: Aerial parts; a major polyphenol class of the herb
The flavonoids account for much of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activity reported for honeyweed extracts.
Phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, syringic)
Hydroxycinnamic / hydroxybenzoic acidsConcentration: Aerial parts
Phenolic acids add to the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity documented for L. sibiricus extracts.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
Leonurine and the labdane diterpenes inhibit platelet aggregation and PAF binding, so honeyweed could add to the bleeding risk of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs.
Clinical note: Use caution / monitor if combined with blood-thinning medication; discontinue before surgery.
Oxytocics / uterine stimulants (and use in pregnancy)
Motherwort alkaloids stimulate uterine smooth-muscle contraction, the basis of its traditional use for menstrual and postpartum complaints. Combined with oxytocic drugs, or taken during pregnancy, this could provoke unwanted uterine activity.
Clinical note: Contraindicated in pregnancy; avoid with labor-inducing or ergot-type agents.
Sedatives / CNS depressants
Motherwort is traditionally used as a mild sedative, so an additive calming effect with sedative drugs is plausible though not well quantified for this species.
Clinical note: Watch for enhanced drowsiness if combined with sedatives.
Preparation Methods
Decoction / infusion
Parts: aerial parts, flowering top, leaf
The dried aerial parts are traditionally decocted or infused for menstrual irregularity, postpartum recovery, and as a mild sedative. It is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its uterine-stimulant action.
Tincture
Parts: aerial parts
A hydro-alcoholic tincture is used for gynaecological complaints and as a nervine. As with the tea, avoid in pregnancy and use caution alongside anticoagulant or sedative medication.
Seed (fresh product / traditional use)
Parts: seed
The seed (chong wei zi in the wider Leonurus tradition) is used traditionally for menstrual and eye complaints. Because honeyweed is used both as a folk remedy and as an invasive weed forage, correct identification against related species is important.
Clinical Studies
Labdane Diterpenes of Leonurus sibiricus
New labdane diterpenoids were isolated and structurally characterised from Leonurus sibiricus, extending the known species-specific diterpene chemistry of honeyweed. No human clinical trials specific to L. sibiricus are available; the evidence base is preclinical and phytochemical.
Historical Texts
East Asian materia medica (motherwort tradition, incl. Bencao literature on Leonurus / yi mu cao)
Traditional East Asian medicineEuropean herbal tradition (motherwort as cardiac/nervous sedative)
Early modern to modern Western herbalismReferences
- Sayed MA, Alam MA, Islam MS, et al.. Leonurus sibiricus L. (honeyweed): A review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology . Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 6(12):1076-1080 (2016) [DOI]
- Giang PM, Son PT, Matsunami K, Otsuka H. Labdane Diterpenes of Leonurus sibiricus . Journal of Natural Products, 68(8) (2005) [DOI]
- Miao LL, Zhou QM, Peng C, et al.. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Leonurus: The herb to benefit the mothers and more . Phytochemistry, 147:167-183 (2018) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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