Motherwort during pregnancy: can it be taken and how exactly?

Motherwort during pregnancy is a fairly common prescription. It is used in the form of tablets, water infusion, and herbal tea. An alcohol tincture is less commonly prescribed. The drug has a mild sedative, cardiotonic, hypotensive, antispasmodic effect. Pregnant women should not take this medicine unless advised by a doctor.

Is it possible to use motherwort during pregnancy? Indeed, in any official instructions for use of the drug, the list of contraindications includes pregnancy and lactation. Meanwhile, this drug is often prescribed by gynecologists. Doctors argue that pharmaceutical companies are thus absolving themselves of responsibility and “playing it safe.” It can be assumed that no special clinical studies have been conducted to identify this contraindication. There are no statistics on the negative impact of grass on the health of pregnant women, there are no figures proving its harm or benefit. Therefore, the attending physician takes responsibility and prescribes the drug in each individual case.

Properties of motherwort

Motherwort is an unpretentious and very common plant. In regions with a temperate climate, this medicinal herb can often be found on the side of the road, wasteland, field or near the banks of natural reservoirs. The inflorescences of the perennial plant resemble the tassels of a lion's tail, giving it the Latin name Leonurus.

The roots and stems of motherwort have healing properties. The part of the grass growing above the ground is characterized by a high content of vitamins, resins, tannins, flavonoids, mineral salts and essential oils.

Motherwort is especially valued for the following medicinal properties:

• calms;
• normalizes heart rhythm;
• relieves tension;
• relieves feelings of fear and anxiety.

In folk medicine, motherwort is commonly used to combat insomnia, as an antispasmodic and to strengthen the cardiovascular system. The use of medicinal herbs to treat depression, nervous excitability and anxiety is also common.

Motherwort as a medicine

Motherwort is a natural medicine that is produced by many Russian and foreign pharmaceutical companies. This medication is dispensed without a doctor's prescription. All dosage forms of the drug, regardless of the country of origin, are based on the medicinal plant of the same name, which has healing properties. Motherwort herb is well known among people for its sedative, hypotensive and diuretic properties.

Motherwort is an over-the-counter drug

This homeopathic drug is produced in the form of three main dosage forms:

• oral tablets;
• alcohol infusion;
• dry herbal collection.

Chemical composition of motherwort herb

The medicinal properties of motherwort are due to its rich chemical composition. The main components of this herb are:

• flavonoids, in particular rutin, which provides vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and vascular strengthening effects;
• tannins with antimicrobial and wound-healing properties;
• iridoids, which have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and digestive tract. They also have relaxing antispasmodic properties;
• glycosides, which are widely used in acute heart diseases;
• vitamins A, E, C, which strengthen the immune system.

Table: dosage forms of Motherwort and the possibility of their use during gestation

At the first symptoms of an overdose or side effects, you must stop taking the drug and seek advice from a specialist.

Photo gallery: medicinal forms of Motherwort

Motherwort tincture consists of 70% ethyl

Motherwort herb is the safest remedy during pregnancy

Motherwort Forte over-the-counter medicine

Benefits for expectant mothers

Pregnant women are always more anxious and susceptible to impulsive impulses, depression, and unreasonable worries. Therefore, doctors recommend using motherwort. The herb helps relieve stress. Whether the product will be useful for a pregnant woman depends on its correct use.

Motherwort is especially valued for its ability to delicately and gently soothe, removing excess excitement and impulses from the nervous system. The herb also has a positive effect on the immune system and has a pronounced tonic effect. Women who take motherwort are resistant to viruses, colds and infections, which is extremely important during pregnancy.

Beneficial features

The composition of motherwort extract is really useful.
The drug can be used during pregnancy in the absence of individual intolerance to the drug. It is recommended to consult a doctor, but in most cases, motherwort can be taken. Impact on the human body:

• dilation of blood vessels, strengthening of the heart;
• decrease in pressure;
• neutralization of nausea;
• calming the nervous system and pulse;
• pain relief.

Reference! Motherwort is valued primarily for its positive effect on the nervous system. But it can also stop bleeding, relieve spasms and skin irritation.

In addition, motherwort removes excess water from the body, which is important during pregnancy due to frequent edema. The product also relieves irritability and relieves insomnia. Doctors recommend taking it with increased uterine tone to prevent miscarriage and premature birth.

Pregnant women often feel nervous due to hormonal imbalance. Often women worry about trifles and become sensitive to others. Therefore, motherwort is recommended to them as a safe means of calming the nerves.

How to take motherwort during pregnancy?

Medicines based on motherwort are sold in any pharmacy. The choice of products is striking in the variety of forms and compositions. But not all of them are suitable for use during pregnancy.

Before using motherwort, consult your doctor.

Expectant mothers can purchase tea bags, tablets, dried herbs in a pack, tincture or extract. Herbal preparations have sedative properties and do not have an immediate effect. Therefore, to get results, you should take a course lasting 2-3 weeks.

Motherwort decoction

Motherwort decoction is one of the common forms of using medicinal herbs. To prepare it correctly, just follow the following instructions:

• add 0.5 liters of cold water and 1 tbsp to the container. dried herbs;
• put the dishes on the fire;
• after boiling, cook the contents of the container over low heat for 10 minutes;
• Remove the finished broth from the heat and wait for it to cool completely.

Use motherwort in the form of a decoction before meals 2-3 times a day. Each dose of the drug is carried out in a dose of 100 ml.

Motherwort tincture

You can also prepare a medicinal tincture from dry motherwort herb. To do this, just do the following:

1. 1 tbsp. herbs are poured into 200 ml of boiling water.
2. The container is covered with a lid and wrapped in a towel.
3. The herb should be infused for 2 hours.
4. The finished tincture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2.
5. Take 2 glasses per day.

Motherwort tincture during pregnancy is recommended to relieve uterine tone and prevent miscarriage. The dosage and duration of treatment are selected by the doctor.

Pharmacological properties

Motherwort has the following properties:

• cardiotonic;
• anticonvulsants;
• diuretic;
• sedatives;
• sedative.

Moreover, this herb

• improves blood circulation (lowers blood pressure, cleanses the blood of fat cells - lipids);
• eliminates toxicosis;
• promotes digestion (eliminates gas, colic, bloating);
• reduces uterine hypertonicity (motherwort in combination with hawthorn and valerian is included in the therapeutic treatment program if there is a threat of pregnancy failure).

Features of admission at different periods

The use of motherwort has its own characteristics, depending on the duration of pregnancy. Therefore, before using it, consult with specialists at the antenatal clinic. General recommendations from doctors are as follows:

1. In the first trimester, the use of motherwort is not prohibited, but should only be associated with obvious indications. In the first three months, the most important stages of embryogenesis occur, associated with the formation of organs and basic systems of the future baby. Therefore, negative influences must be avoided. If the drug was prescribed by a doctor, strictly follow the recommended dosage.
2. In the second trimester of pregnancy, the risk of disturbances in fetal development or premature termination of pregnancy is significantly reduced, so a woman can drink motherwort tea or other forms of the drug. Your doctor will tell you how to take motherwort during pregnancy.
3. In the third trimester, especially in its later stages, it is recommended to avoid motherwort. The drug can lead to prolongation of pregnancy, therefore it is especially undesirable for women with a predisposition to post-term pregnancy.

Expectant mothers should be very responsible about the choice of medications and the state of their health.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that use is permitted, it is recommended to act only with the approval of a doctor and adhere to the required dosage.
There are contraindications for the product, the most dangerous is the effect on smooth muscles. When used repeatedly, the drug can cause miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Contraindications include:

• low pressure;
• slow heart rate;
• breastfeeding (some components may harm the baby if passed into breast milk);
• individual intolerance.

It is important to pay attention to these points to avoid unpleasant consequences. It is recommended to give preference to decoctions based on a dry mixture, since excipients can be harmful.

During pregnancy, motherwort will be a real salvation, allowing you to calm your nerves without worrying about the child. But you can drink it only with the permission of a doctor in order to avoid harmful consequences.

Contraindications and side effects

Motherwort is a medicinal plant, the preparations with which have a cumulative effect. Therefore, the effect can be observed only after taking a certain amount of the drug.

Accordingly, the main caution for pregnant women is the dosage. Independently increasing the amount of motherwort you take can lead to undesirable consequences.

Exceeding the dosage recommended by your doctor may cause the following side effects:

• disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract;
• allergic reaction;
• disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system;
• decrease in blood pressure.

Motherwort is not recommended for use during pregnancy by women who drive independently. Weed can cause drowsiness, lethargy and confusion, which increases the risk of an accident.

Features of application and reviews

We must not forget that motherwort, like valerian, is a long-acting sedative. First, the substance must accumulate in the body, after which it acts continuously for a long time. Motherwort does not provide a quick healing effect. It may appear in the second week of treatment. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to increase its dose.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects may occur after an overdose, repeated course, individual intolerance, or interaction with other medications. How to recognize them?

• Central nervous system disorders. Usually expressed by increased drowsiness, lethargy, and dizziness. In case of severe overdose, confusion may occur.
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Unpleasant symptoms associated with indigestion may increase: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, belching, heaviness in the stomach.
• Allergy. Hives, redness, itching, and swelling may appear on the skin.

If you experience the slightest discomfort or side effects, you should inform your doctor.

Reviews

Not only separate articles are devoted to taking motherwort during pregnancy, but also forums where this topic is lively discussed. It is an indisputable fact that this herbal preparation is prescribed to pregnant women, despite the official contraindication in the medical instructions. What reviews can you read?

• Positive. Many women note that they “lasted” almost the entire pregnancy on motherwort, especially with high blood pressure. Thanks to the grass, I retained my “nerves” and a positive emotional attitude. The medicine gives a sedative effect, but does not cause severe drowsiness. Some women write that the herb helped maintain pregnancy in the early stages, when there was a threat of miscarriage due to uterine hypertonicity.
• Negative. They are usually associated with side effects. With hypotension and bradycardia, blood pressure may drop significantly, the heartbeat may slow down, and dizziness may appear.
• The spirit of doubt and how to resolve it. After a doctor prescribes the drug, pregnant women still have a question: “How can this be? The doctor prescribed it, but the instructions say “not allowed”?” This is an individual question, first of all, a question of trust or distrust of the gynecologist. But still, this contradiction should not be discussed on forums in incompetent circles. If in doubt, you can talk to your doctor again or consult another specialist.

Pregnancy for each woman is so individual that in this situation it is certainly not worth comparing “other people’s” symptoms and therapeutic effects with “our own”. However, this applies to any condition or diagnosis.

How can motherwort be useful during pregnancy? Calming, relaxing, mild hypnotic effect. It is often prescribed for hypertension, insomnia, nervous excitability, cardiac and digestive disorders. The drug is most often used in tablet form.

Method of use

The medicinal plant comes in several forms, each type has its own pros and cons for the expectant mother.

Which motherwort can be used for pregnant women:

1. tea or herbal tea;
2. infusion;
3. decoction

Tea. The easiest way is to brew tea yourself or use ready-made filter bags. To prepare a healthy herbal tea, pour boiling water over the dried herb and leave for about 15 minutes. One cup of drink in the morning will improve the functioning of the nervous system.

The decoction is prepared from a herbal collection: 3 tablespoons of motherwort herb, a handful of hawthorn berries, 20 g of lingonberry leaf. All ingredients are mixed together, then 2 tablespoons are poured into a glass of boiling water and simmered over low heat for 15 minutes. Add clean water to the prepared broth and take it 3 times a day before meals.

Tincture. It is forbidden to drink motherwort tincture during pregnancy due to the alcohol content in it. Despite its small amount, the alcohol-based drug negatively affects the health of the unborn child, so it is better to replace motherwort tincture with tea and decoction.

Motherwort during pregnancy

Guess the riddle: when can you neither get sick nor be treated? That's right - during pregnancy. So do what you want: don’t tolerate it, and don’t take medicine. But, of course, we are talking about an ideal situation when nothing worries the expectant mother. And even such “non-diseases” as nausea and nerves are not familiar to her: she is healthy, happy and enjoying the process of bearing her baby.

But even those unfamiliar with the state of pregnancy understand: the picture described is from the genre of utopia. And if, pah-pah, the condition of the mother and baby is normal, then few people manage to avoid nervous shocks over the long nine months. Therefore, motherwort should be in every expectant mother’s medicine cabinet, doctors recommend.

Effective analogues of Motherwort

Since medicinal herbs were and are the basis of pharmaceuticals, motherwort-based medicines are produced by both domestic and foreign companies. All structural analogues of this drug differ from each other in the concentration of the active substance, manufacturer and packaging. Moreover, almost all of them have the same trade name. It is worth noting that structural analogues can be complete or incomplete. Incomplete structural generics may include another medicinal plant or vitamin complex.

The drug also has quite a few functional generics, but not all of them are equally suitable for pregnant women, so it cannot be said that they are interchangeable medications.

Generics of motherwort:

• by active ingredient: Motherwort Extract, Motherwort P, Motherwort Herb, Motherwort Extract with Mg and B6, Valerian + Motherwort;
• according to indications: Valerian, Barboval, Novo-Passit, Phezam, Glycine, Phenibut.

Table: Motherwort generics

Photo gallery: Motherwort substitute preparations

The use of Nova-Passit is possible in all trimesters of gestation only after consultation with a doctor

Official instructions prohibit the use of Motherwort with Mg and B6 during gestation

According to the instructions, pregnant women are prohibited from using the drug

The use of Valerian is contraindicated in the first trimester of gestation

Valerian + Motherwort - biologically active food supplement

Motherwort during pregnancy: safety of use

Motherwort during pregnancy is a fairly common prescription. It is used in the form of tablets, water infusion, and herbal tea. An alcohol tincture is less commonly prescribed. The drug has a mild sedative, cardiotonic, hypotensive, antispasmodic effect. Pregnant women should not take this medicine unless advised by a doctor.

Is it possible to use motherwort during pregnancy? Indeed, in any official instructions for use of the drug, the list of contraindications includes pregnancy and lactation. Meanwhile, this drug is often prescribed by gynecologists. Doctors argue that pharmaceutical companies are thus absolving themselves of responsibility and “playing it safe.” It can be assumed that no special clinical studies have been conducted to identify this contraindication. There are no statistics on the negative impact of grass on the health of pregnant women, there are no figures proving its harm or benefit. Therefore, the attending physician takes responsibility and prescribes the drug in each individual case.

When is the drug useful during gestation?

In the first trimester of pregnancy, an additional blood circulation is formed, blood volume increases and hormonal levels change. This often increases blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, symptoms of VSD, dizziness, and migraines may appear. Often the stomach begins to hurt, there is pressure behind the sternum, the heartbeat accelerates, and digestion worsens.

Normally, the body itself adapts to new operating conditions and in the second trimester of pregnancy the condition stabilizes. The herbal medicine is used if a woman’s well-being has deteriorated significantly or her quality of life has decreased due to physiological changes.

Motherwort is prescribed during pregnancy for:

• lowering blood pressure;
• relieving uterine tone, vascular and intestinal spasms;
• stabilization of psycho-emotional state;
• eliminating nervous tension, irritation, anxiety, panic;
• increased appetite;
• decreasing the frequency but increasing the strength of heart contractions;
• improving sleep quality;
• relieving angina pain.

Attention! During pregnancy, pressure surges, sudden mood swings, migraines, tachycardia, abdominal pain are also symptoms of miscarriage, hypoxia, hypertension, cardiopathy, neurosis, thyroid diseases or other pathologies. In these cases, Motherwort is classified as a second-line treatment and is prescribed only in combination with medications.

The feasibility of using Motherwort by expectant mothers

As you know, the gestation period does not always proceed without complications, so many pregnant women have to resort to medications. The main culprit for all the troubles of expectant mothers is the hormone progesterone, which affects not only the internal organs of a woman, relaxing smooth muscles, but also the emotional background. Therefore, a pregnant woman becomes very suspicious, sentimental, with constant mood swings from explosive laughter to tears. The expectant mother begins to stress herself out, worry about the baby’s health and the upcoming birth. Constant anxiety and nervous tension can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the baby, since the baby feels all the mother’s worries.

Motherwort can be used in complex therapy as a symptomatic drug in the fight against gestosis, as it alleviates the course of this disease without eliminating the cause.

The official instructions for all dosage forms of the drug prohibit its use during gestation.

But due to the absence of negative consequences, which have not appeared over many years of use of this medicinal plant in practical gynecology, the doctor may prescribe Motherwort Forte to a woman, which is available in the form of tablets or teas, decoctions or infusions from a dry mixture of motherwort. Experts do not recommend using the infusion as a medicine, since its production is based on alcohol.

Use of a homeopathic medicine in the first trimester of gestation

The first embryonic trimester of pregnancy, which lasts 12 weeks, is the most vulnerable, so the list of medications should be kept to a minimum. Since proper laboratory studies aimed at identifying negative effects on the fetus and the course of pregnancy have not been carried out, it is unknown how its use will affect the baby. Based on this, doctors do not prescribe Motherwort for the first three months of gestation.

Motherwort in the second and third trimesters

The growing organism in the womb begins to put pressure on neighboring organs, thereby disrupting their normal functioning, which often leads to various kinds of complications. Moreover, the double load on the cardiovascular system also affects the woman’s condition. Many complications of the second and third trimester require immediate medical treatment, so the doctor may prescribe Motherwort if the benefits of its use are much higher than the possible negative consequences.

A week before the expected delivery, you must stop taking Motherwort-based medications. The fact is that the use of this drug can cause weak labor.

Indications for the use of motherwort in late gestation

This homeopathic medicine can be prescribed in the second and third trimesters of gestation for the following complications:

• sleep disturbance;
• headache;
• nausea and vomiting caused by gestosis;
• increased gas formation;
• bloating;
• “fire” in the sternum;
• nervous overstrain;
• increased irritability and excitability;
• high blood pressure;
• dysfunction of the digestive tract;
• hypertonicity of the uterus;
• abnormal swelling.

What forms of the drug are prescribed during gestation?

During pregnancy, it is allowed to use Motherwort preparations as prescribed by a highly specialized doctor and with the knowledge of a gynecologist-obstetrician. They must not contain alcohol.

Forms of Motherwort permitted for pregnant women to take:

• grass (loose and in filter bags);
• pills;
• drops (with caution!).

Taking the tincture during pregnancy is not recommended. Ethanol may react with substances in complex medications or negatively affect the development of the embryo. Although the product is diluted with water and a single dose of alcohol is small.

To normalize sleep and calm nerves, you should not take Motherwort Forte Mg+B6 (with the addition of magnesium and pyridoxine) during pregnancy . The tablets contain a high concentration of plant matter. For the same reason, the use of liquid extract of the herb is prohibited.

Useful video about motherwort and its medicinal properties

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Calmness and tranquility are important conditions for the normal course of pregnancy. However, in nine months it is impossible to avoid nervous shocks and stress. After all, the expectant mother is responsible not only for her health, but also for the well-being of the child under her heart. Therefore, a nervous condition is inherent in almost every pregnant woman.

In this case, you need to think about replenishing your pharmacy supplies, and better yet, with natural and pregnancy-safe products. And here many doctors will agree that motherwort is what you need.

Interaction of all forms of Motherwort with other medications

When prescribing any drug, including herbal ones, the doctor takes into account not only the individual characteristics of the expectant mother, the nature of the pregnancy, as well as the complexity of the disease, but also the medications used in parallel. This is due, first of all, to the fact that different drugs interact with others in different ways: they can either enhance or weaken each other’s therapeutic effect.

Thus, the simultaneous use of all dosage forms of Motherwort with sedative medications enhances the effect of the latter, which can cause increased fatigue and constant drowsiness.

Large doses of sedatives affect reaction and coordination of movements, so women in a position taking sedatives are not advised to drive or deal with mechanical devices.

Form of application

The course of treatment is no more than 30 days, depending on the complaints of the expectant mother and the medical history taken by the attending physician. The herb in tablets should be taken an hour before the expected meal time or 30 minutes after it. A dosage of 0.014 g is available, which can be taken once 3-4 times a day.

For better absorption of the drug, it is recommended to switch to 4-5 meals a day during treatment. The duration of therapy is prescribed by the doctor, and not by the Internet or a friend. If a drug helps someone, this does not mean that in another case the drug cannot cause harm.

Motherwort tea recipe for pregnant women

Can pregnant women drink motherwort tea? Tea with the plant is the most optimal form for pregnant women. The strength of the tea can be adjusted by diluting it with water and adding other herbs. You can prepare the tea yourself or purchase ready-made tea, packaged in bags, at the pharmacy.

Ingredients

:

1. Chopped plant - 10 g.
2. Water - 1 glass.

How to cook

: Fill the plant with water, brew for 5-10 minutes. If necessary, strain before use.

How to use

: Take tea in the morning on an empty stomach.

Result

: Relieves uterine tone, improves mood, eliminates nervous tension, normalizes sleep.

Plant composition

Both the root and stems of the plant are endowed with beneficial properties. The ground part of motherwort contains the following substances important for the human body:

• various resins;
• tannins;
• vitamins;
• flavonoids;
• essential oils;
• minerals.

The essential oils present in the plant eliminate irritability, help reduce emotional stress and increase resistance to stress. Vitamin P strengthens the walls of blood vessels. This substance increases the elasticity of blood vessels.

Important!

In terms of its beneficial properties, motherwort is in many ways similar to valerian. The medicinal herb eliminates the unpleasant feeling of fear and helps to resist stressful situations.

Motherwort has a beneficial effect on the condition of the heart. The medicinal plant contains leotin. This substance has a mild vasodilator effect.

Important!

An extract made from motherwort helps relax the heart muscle. It helps reduce heart rate and helps cope with arrhythmia.

Preparations from motherwort are endowed with diuretic properties. They lower blood pressure, help cleanse the blood of lipids, ensuring stable heart function.

There are the following indications for the use of motherwort during pregnancy:

• sleep disturbance;
• nervous tension;
• high blood pressure;
• stressful situations;
• dysfunction of the digestive organs;
• the appearance of symptoms of late toxicosis. Products made from motherwort reduce swelling of tissues, helping to remove excess fluid from the body;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia. Motherwort improves blood circulation and relieves vascular spasms.

When pregnant women should not take motherwort

Why is motherwort contraindicated during pregnancy? In some cases, the plant is truly contraindicated. This applies to motherwort forte, as well as alcohol tincture of the plant.

The instructions for motherwort forte contain a contraindication - pregnancy. This drug is not completely natural, has not been tested on pregnant women, and no one can reliably answer how its components will affect the fetus. It is better to take natural motherwort by brewing tea.

Contraindications to the use of motherwort:

• hypotension;
• individual intolerance;
• gastritis, ulcer.

In case of overdose, the following side effects may occur:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• dizziness.

If the recommended dosage is not observed, a pregnant woman may experience the listed side effects. Given the background of possible toxicosis and general weakness, this is extremely undesirable. If the dosage is exceeded in a child after birth, individual intolerance to the components of the plant may occur.

For more information about the benefits of motherwort, watch the video: