Herb | Motherwort

.5 - .7 oz of dried herbs

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Chakra Colour: Green

Medicinal Uses: Motherwort, as its name implies, is a woman’s herb. It has been used in Asia to prevent pregnancy and regulate menstrual cycles. Midwives use it to help expel the afterbirth, help get the uterus back into shape after childbirth, prevent uterine infections, and ease postpartum stress and depression symptoms. Some herbalists recommend drinking motherwort tea during pregnancy, but its other uses indicate that this would probably put the pregnancy at risk of premature termination, so caution is advised. The use of this herb is only indicated in cases of extreme anxiety during pregnancy when the risk posed by the mother’s stress is greater than the risk posed by a cup of motherwort tea. It is most often used in late-stage pregnancy and during labor. However, one must take into account the effect the herb may have on the fetal heart rate. Many women swear by the tea as a treatment for cramps, bloating, and irritability associated with PMS and menopause. It is also helpful in cases where a woman’s cycle is disturbed due to stress.

This herb is a relaxant that acts on the smooth muscles and vascular system. It is particularly effective in helping to slow a heartbeat that is revved up due to stress.

Magical Uses: This herb’s energies promote inner trust and confidence that the outcome will be best for all involved in the fullness of time. It is also used for counter-magic and associated with immortality and spiritual healing. It is a protective herb, especially in spells designed to protect pregnant women and their unborn children.

Some recommend smoking this herb to promote astral projection, but smoking too much can cause respiratory arrest. It is, therefore, perhaps best used as a smudge or burned as incense rather than smoked directly.