LEONURUS
Yi Mu Cao

 

Leonurus heterophyllus
‘Herb to Benefit the Mother’

 

Major therapeutic action
Invigorates the Blood and regulates menstruation, promotes urination.

Attributes and Domain
acrid, bitter, cool; Liver, reproductive system

Indications
*  An important herb for a wide variety of menstrual disorders, including irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, benign gynaecological masses, infertility, premenstrual abdominal pain, premenstrual fluid retention and postpartum placental retention.
*  Acute nephritis with oedema and scanty urine.

Dosage
Used alone for postpartum placental retention or abdominal pain. For other menstrual disorders, it is usually added to a primary blood tonic or blood moving formula. The typical proportion when added to a constitutional formula is 6:1 formula to addition (15 grams in 75-90 grams of formula). If a stronger effect is desired more can be added. When used alone the dose is three grams twice daily. For acute nephritis up to 30 grams may be used daily.
Combinations
*  With Si Wu Tang for irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhoea.
*  With Dang Gui Shao Yao San for severe premenstrual fluid retention.

Cautions and contraindications
None noted.
Contraindicated during pregnancy.