Leonurus, commonly known as motherwort, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (the mint family), placed in the order Lamiales. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus and published in Species Plantarum in 1753. GBIF recognizes approximately 38 species-level taxa within the genus.
Plants in Leonurus are herbaceous perennials or biennials with the square stems and opposite leaves characteristic of the mint family. The genus is native to Europe and Asia, with its greatest diversity across central Asia, Siberia, and China. Several species have been widely naturalized far beyond their native range, appearing in New Zealand, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and much of North and South America. Species are sometimes confused with the closely related African genus Leonotis.
The genus includes several species of long-standing ethnobotanical importance. Leonurus japonicus (yi mu cao) is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, used historically to regulate menstruation and support cardiovascular health. Leonurus cardiaca, the common motherwort of European and western Asian origin, has similarly been used in Western herbal traditions as a cardiac tonic — a use reflected in its species epithet cardiaca.
Etymology
The name Leonurus is derived from the Greek leon (lion) and oura (tail), referring to the shaggy, tufted appearance of the flower spikes, which were thought to resemble a lion's tail. The common name "motherwort" reflects the plant's traditional use in women's health, particularly around childbirth and menstruation.
Distribution
Leonurus is native to Europe and Asia, ranging from western Europe across the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia to Siberia, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, and the Himalayas. Several species — notably L. japonicus and L. cardiaca — have been widely naturalized in North and South America, New Zealand, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and the West Indies.
Cultural Uses
Leonurus japonicus (yi mu cao, literally "benefit mother herb") is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese medicine, where it has been used for over 2,000 years primarily to regulate menstrual disorders and support uterine function. Leonurus cardiaca has a parallel history in European herbal medicine as a cardiac and nervine tonic, and the species epithet cardiaca directly records this traditional cardiac application. Both species remain subjects of phytochemical research, with alkaloids such as leonurine investigated for cardiovascular and uterine activity.
