The true heart grass (Leonurus cardiaca) is also called heart tension weed or lion’s tail. Since the Middle Ages, it has been perished as a medicine for heart ailments. It used to be found in most farm gardens.
Occurrence and cultivation of the true heart cocklebur.
The real heart plant belongs to the family of the labiates. Naturally, the it occurs in Europe and in the Near East and Central Asia. The true cordial is a herbaceous plant that grows up to 120 cm high. The plant has a square, hollow stem that is slightly hairy. The stalked, medium green leaves, whose shape resembles a lion’s tail, are also hairy on the underside. These leaves are three to seven-lobed. The flowers stand as whorls on the upper leaf axils. These whorls consist of several creamy white to pink individual flowers. The flowers of the true-heart spathe have a curved upper lip reminiscent of a helmet and a three-parted lower lip that has a brownish pattern. The upper lip of the flowers is hairy, giving them a fluffy appearance. The plant blooms from June to September. It is very appreciated by bees as a food source. The heartwort belongs to the family of the labiates. It grows naturally in Europe, the Near East and Central Asia. It prefers nitrogen-rich soils. Therefore, it is often found on fallow land, along walls or fences in rural areas. Heartwort is also cultivated as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its natural occurrence is declining in Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, the plant is even considered critically endangered. There are two subspecies of this plant: the common true cordial, whose leaves are only slightly hairy, and the shaggy true cordial, whose leaves, as the name suggests, are heavily hairy. The plant can be easily planted in your own garden, as it is very unpretentious and does not require special care.
Effect and application
The main ingredients of the true heart span are ajugoside, ajugol,flavonoids, tannins, bitter substances, diterpenes, triterpenes and in relatively small quantities essential oils and caffeic acid. In order to use the heartwort from own cultivation, the young, soft parts of the herb are cut and dried in a room with low humidity at about 35 degrees Celsius. This can be done several times a year. Then the dried herb is crushed and stored in a well-sealed container. A tea is made from heartwood plantain by pouring hot water over one to two teaspoons of the crushed herb. Then this tea must brew for about 10 minutes. Then it is strained and drunk in small sips. Three cups of this tea are recommended daily. However, this should not be done for more than six weeks at a time. By taking a break from drinking, possibly using a tea with similar effects, undesirable permanent effects of the heart tea can be avoided. A tincture is prepared by pouring the herb in a glass jar with a screw cap with ethyl alcohol or double grain so that it is completely covered. After the mixture has been infused for about six weeks, it is strained and poured into a dark glass bottle. It is recommended to take up to 50 drops of this tincture three times a day. The tincture can be diluted with water. For menopausal symptoms, a syrup made from sweet pea has proven to be effective and can be used to sweeten tea. This syrup is prepared by dissolving 500 grams of sugar or honey in four cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Then 150 grams of the dried herb is added and the mixture is heated for five minutes. After the mixture has infused overnight, it is strained through a sieve and transferred to a bottle. It is then stored in the refrigerator. To combat the symptoms, one teaspoon of this syrup should be taken daily for a period of one to two weeks.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Already in the medical books of the Middle Ages, the true heart plant is mentioned. In the first herbal book written in German, the “Gart der Gesundheit” (Garden of Health), it is recommended as a medicine for heart trouble and stomach distress.In addition to its use as a heart medicine, as indicated by its name, it has also been used for menstrual cramps, to support pregnancy, to combat epilepsy and melancholy. Today, its use is limited to nervous heart complaints, supporting thyroid function, lowering blood pressure, general sedation, treating digestive problems and menstrual cramps. Backed up by scientific research, it has been found that the elecampane increases blood flow through the heart, known as coronary flow, and lowers the heartbeat rate, leading to relief of the heart. In addition, the plant has been shown to be a calcium channel antagonist. A calcium antagonist blocks the pores through which calcium enters. This leads to a reduction in blood pressure. Treatment is either a tea made from the herb of the plant (stems, leaves, flowers) or an extract of the plant’s active ingredients sold as tinctures or capsules. Tinctures consist of an extract of the active components of the plant dissolved in alcohol. These tinctures have a shelf life of several years. Another possibility is the preparation of a herbal syrup from the herb of the true heart span. This plant is used not only in homeopathy and natural medicine, it is also recognized, at least conditionally, by traditional medicine. Side effects are not known. In older literature and occasionally also on Internet pages the real heart spleenwort is called poisonous. However, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices considers a daily dose of 4.5 grams of the herb to be safe. To be on the safe side, however, pregnant women and nursing mothers should refrain from using the true heartwort or products containing this plant.
