What are the functions and benefits of motherwort?
Generally, the benefits and effects of Leonurus (Yi Mu Cao) include beautifying the skin, clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis to reduce swelling, calming the mind and relieving pain, as well as promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation.
1. Skin Beautification: Leonurus contains various nutrients, including antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C, which help eliminate free radicals in the body, promote the growth and differentiation of skin cells, and contribute to maintaining skin elasticity and luster.
2. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying: Leonurus is cold in nature and clears heat, effectively cooling the blood and relieving itching. It helps alleviate symptoms such as painful swellings due to heat toxicity, abscesses, and ulcers. When applied externally, it can also treat bruises, injuries, and skin ulcers, demonstrating significant heat-clearing and detoxifying effects.
3. Diuresis and Reducing Edema: Leonurus can dilate renal blood vessels and increase blood flow to the kidneys, thereby enhancing glomerular filtration rate, increasing urine production, helping the body expel excess fluid, and reducing edema.
4. Calming the Mind and Relieving Pain: Leonurus can alleviate pain by regulating the contraction of uterine smooth muscles. It also has regulatory effects on the nervous system, helping improve sleep quality and relieve anxiety and insomnia.
5. Promoting Blood Circulation and Regulating Menstruation: Leonurus enhances blood circulation in the uterus, helping dissipate blood stasis. It is primarily used to treat gynecological conditions such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and prolonged postpartum lochia.
Although Leonurus offers multiple health benefits, it should be used according to medical advice. Dosage and treatment duration must be carefully controlled to avoid adverse reactions from long-term or excessive self-administration.