Leonurus cardiaca
Plant · Lamiaceae
Leonurus Cardiaca presents with violent gastroenteric symptoms: vomiting, bloody stools, and intense abdominal pain provoked by drinking. The dry cracked tongue and dry conjunctivae point to a desiccated, toxic state. The bowel symptoms are characteristically worse from midnight to 3 a.m.
Key symptoms
- Vomiting and retching with bloody stools and severe abdominal pains
- Great thirst with drinking provoking epigastric pains
- Dry conjunctivae looking as if wiped dry
- Tongue dry, coated brownish white with arborescent cracks and main crack down centre
- Very severe abdominal pains with soreness to touch
- Bowel symptoms worse from midnight to 3 a.m.
Worse (aggravation)
- Midnight to 3 a.m. (bowel symptoms)
- Drinking more than a small quantity of water (provokes epigastric pains)
Better (amelioration)
- Lying on side with knees drawn up (abdominal pain relieved)
Leonurus cardiaca. Motherwort. N. O. Labiatæ. Tincture or infusion of fresh plant.
Clinical
Dysentery. Hæmorrhages.
Characteristics
The popular name of this plant sufficiently indicates its traditional virtues. The only experience with it is an involuntary proving recorded by Clarence Bartlett (Med. Adv., xx. 280). A married woman, 40, took an infusion to produce miscarriage. Twenty-four hours later Bartlett saw her, and found her vomiting and retching, passing bloody stools, suffering severe abdominal pains, which were provoked by drinking anything more than a small quantity of water, which she did to allay her great thirst. Dry conjunctivæ, dry, cracked tongue were noted. The bowel symptoms were < midnight to 3 a.m. Ars. 3x relieved all symptoms. She did not miscarry.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
