Leonurus Cardiaca

Leonurus Cardiaca.

Leonurus cardiaca. Motherwort. N. O. Labiatae. Tincture or infusion of fresh plant.

Dysentery. Haemorrhages.

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 conjunctivae, dry, cracked tongue were noted. The bowel symptoms were < midnight to 3 a.m. Ars. 3x relieved all symptoms.

She did not miscarry.

Antidoted by: Ars. Compare: Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma puleg.

Conjunctivae had a very dry appearance; looked as if wiped dry.

Tongue dry, coated or brownish white; covered with cracks in arborescent arrangement, main crack down centre.

Intense thirst, yet drinking more than a very slight quantity of water, warm or cold, provoked epigastric pains.—Shortly after taking the drug seized with vomiting and retching, more retching.

Very severe abdominal pains, with soreness to touch; when lying on side > drawing up legs; when on back > with legs out straight.

During the (first) night frequent calls to stool; stools dark brown at first, afterwards bloody.—Later stools contained larger quantities of blood, never any mucus.