How to Use Motherwort

Tea

• 1

  Use dried leaves to make motherwort tea. Place 1 to 2 tsp. of dried leaves, slightly crumbled, in an 8 ounce cup. Pour boiling water over the leaves, and let cool 10 minutes. The leaves infuse the water, making the tea.

• 2

  Use a mesh tea strainer, and pour the infusion into another cup. Discard the used leaves.

• 3

  Use the tea for easing heart palpitations due to anxiety, or as a sedative to ease menstrual cramping. Do not administer motherwort if the menstrual bleeding is overly heavy, because the herb causes an increase in flow.

Tincture

• 4

  Use the leaves, stems, and flowers of motherwort to make a tincture. Roughly chop enough fresh motherwort to loosely fill a sterilized quart jar; do not stuff the jar.

• 5

  Pour enough alcohol, such as vodka, over the fresh herb to fill the jar, leaving 1/4 inch headroom at the top. Do not use rubbing alcohol or other nonconsumable alcohol. Use apple cider vinegar to make the tincture if alcohol is not an option.

• 6

  Put a fitted, sterilized lid on the jar, and place the tincture in a cool, dark place. Gently shake once a day. Add more alcohol or vinegar when necessary, as the plant is soaking up the liquid.

• 7

  After six weeks, strain the contents. Discard the plant matter, and store the tincture in a sterilized jar in a cool, dark place.

• 8

  Use the motherwort tincture for controlling high blood pressure, quick relief of heart palpitations or hot flashes from menopause, or onset of anxiety. Place 10 drops of the tincture in a glass of water or juice and drink quickly. The tincture is concentrated, so do not use more than three times within a day. For control of high blood pressure, the tincture may be taken up to three months.

Decoction

• 9

  Use the stems, seeds, flowers, and leaves to make a decoction of motherwort. For every ounce of plant material, use one cup of water. Place water in a deep pot, and bring to a boil. Add the motherwort, and allow the water to come back to a boil. Boil for five minutes.

• 10

  Remove the pot from the heat, and cover it. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes; this is called steeping. Strain the mixture, and discard the plant matter. Allow the decoction to cool. Store in a sterilized jar, and use within two weeks.

• 11

  Use the decoction as a tea for menstrual discomfort or to ease anxiety. Dilute a small amount of the decoction with clean water, and use as eyewash to relieve conjunctivitis, to reduce puffy eyes, or to ease eye strain.