Leonurus sibiricus
Siberian Motherwort
This herb in the mint family is a native
of East Asia and is especially common in China, Tibet, and Siberia, which
makes this a nice motherwort to plant if you are following a Siberian path.
In Malaysia, the dried leaves are chopped and cooked in sesame oil
with
ginger and Chinese rice wine. This dish is given to mothers
after childbirth (do not use this herb during pregnancy), but this combination
also works as a regular spice for cooking. Young shoots can be cooked
and supposedly have a sweetish taste. This magick herb contains very small
amounts of the alkaloid leonurine, and this
herb is smoked in Chiapas, Mexico, as a marijuana substitute. The alkaloid
works somewhat like curare, being a respiratory stimulant in small doses
but stopping breathing altogether in large doses. Siberian motherwort is
considered superior in Traditional Chinese Medicine for dealing with problems
with menstruation and women's reproductive systems. It is supposed
to help circulation, prevent excessive clotting, and relieve PMS symptoms.
It is also used to improve night vision, so consider adding it to
any incense used in divination. Like regular motherwort,
it is associated with Venus. Top
How to grow Siberian Motherwort: Sow
at 70F to germinate in 7-14 days. Plant out in May in full sun. Once
you get this plant going, it can be propagated by cuttings. This plant
can be invasive in some areas, so if you don't want it spreading all over,
cut the flowers when they fade--or just harvest when it blooms, which is
the best time. The scented purple flower are favorites of bees and
appear during the second half of summer. Leaves turn red in the fall.
This is a tender biennial/perennial that can be grown as an annual.
It can get up to 4-5ft/120 cm and 2 ft/.6 m wide and is hardy in temperate
and warm areas (up to zone 5). General
growing info Top
Leonurus sibiricus
Siberian Motherwort
75
seeds $3.50
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Birth Magic
Divination
Venus Herb
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