Whole herbsBlood-activatingHerba Leonuri

Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus / Motherwort)

Q: What is Yi Mu Cao? Are Chong Wei Zi, fresh Yi Mu Cao and Yi Mu Cao Gao the same?

Official Yi Mu Cao (益母草) is the fresh or dried aerial part of Leonurus japonicus . The pharmacopoeial name is Leonuri Herba . Fresh motherwort is richer in alkaloids; its dose differs from the dry herb. Chong Wei Zi is the fruit of the same plant: invigorates Blood, regulates menses and clears the Liver to brighten the eyes—a separate monograph. Yi Mu Cao Gao is a prepared paste whose strength and excipients vary; it is not a gram-for-gram swap with fresh herb. Write Yi Mu Cao or Xian Yi Mu Cao.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yi Mu Cao?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yi Mu Cao is bitter, acrid and slightly cold , enters the Liver, Pericardium and Bladder channels, and acts to invigorate Blood and regulate menses, promote urination and disperse swelling, and clear heat and resolve toxin . It is used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, incomplete lochia, edema with scant urine, and sores. Acrid-bitter and slightly cold, it suits static menstrual and postpartum patterns and water-stasis binding—not Blood vacuity without stasis, and not pregnancy.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a menses and edema tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is dry 9–30 g; fresh 12–40 g . It is not a four-season “motherwort menses tea.” Vacuity without stasis and heavy menses only empty further. Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum lochia and edema need a practitioner to name dry or fresh and a short course; do not take oversized long courses (kidney and liver burden).

Q: What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Forbid in pregnancy (it contracts the uterus). Use caution in Yin-Blood vacuity without stasis and heavy menses. Liver or kidney impairment and anticoagulants need a practitioner. Stop and seek care if dizziness, scant urine or yellow eyes appear. After delivery use only once lochia stasis is confirmed—not “must drink after every birth.”

Q: How do you choose and store Yi Mu Cao?

Choose square stems with longitudinal grooves and pith, gray-green leaves, pale-purple verticillaster flowers, a faint odor and a slightly bitter taste . Yellow, withered, moldy and leafless stalks are inferior. Store dry herb dry; keep fresh herb cool and damp for short use. Buy pharmacopoeial Yi Mu Cao; do not replace invigorating Blood, regulating menses and promoting urination with Chong Wei Zi or an unidentified mint-family herb by equal weight.

A practical guide to Yi Mu Cao: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Herba Leonuri
Chinese Name & Pinyin	益母草 · Yi Mu Cao
Medicinal Part	Whole herbs
The herb	Yi Mu Cao is the aerial part of Leonurus japonicus, fresh or dried. Chong Wei Zi is the fruit. Western motherwort is not this drug.
Nature and channels	Bitter, acrid, slightly cold. Enters the Liver, Pericardium, and Bladder. Bitterness drains stasis. Acridity moves. Slight cold clears heat.
Pharmacopoeia line	Invigorates blood and regulates menses. Promotes urination and reduces swelling. Clears heat and resolves toxin. Used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, lochia that will not clear, edema with scant urine, and sores.
Pattern cues	Clotted painful periods. Lingering lochia. Edema with scant urine. Sores. Dark tongue.
In this article	Yi Mu Cao versus Chong Wei Zi, Ze Lan, and Tao Ren. Fresh versus dried. Why “benefit the mother” does not mean safe in pregnancy. Who should skip it.

What Is Yi Mu Cao?

Yi Mu Cao (益母草; Yì Mǔ Cǎo; Latin: Leonuri Herba; English: Chinese motherwort) is the fresh or dried aerial part of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. In Chinese medicine it is a blood-invigorating herb. It is bitter, acrid, and slightly cold, enters the Liver, Pericardium, and Bladder channels, and its core actions are to invigorate blood and regulate menses, promote urination and reduce swelling, and clear heat and resolve toxin. The name means “benefit the mother.” That points to dispelling stasis after birth, not to use in pregnancy. Avoid in pregnancy. It is not Chong Wei Zi, the fruit of the same plant, which also invigorates blood and regulates menses and can clear the Liver and brighten the eyes. It is not Western motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). Same family, not this official drug. Fresh herb acts more quickly. Dried herb stores more easily.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Stasis in the uterine vessel — irregular, painful, or absent periods; lochia that will not clear
Edema with scant urine
Sores and swellings

Dried herb is commonly 9–30 g in decoction. Fresh herb is 12–40 g. Blood deficiency without stasis, heavy periods with no clots, and pregnancy are contraindications. Bitter, acrid, and slightly cold, it is not a postpartum “motherwort pot” to simmer in bulk at home. Heavy bleeding after birth needs a clinic first.

When stasis blocks the uterine vessel, or water and stasis bind, clotted periods, lingering lochia, and puffy face are common. Yi Mu Cao is bitter-draining and acrid-dispersing. It moves, drains, and clears, which is why it appears in postpartum regulating formulas. It breaks and drains more than it holds. A pale face, scant flow, and pain with no stasis become weaker if more breaking is added.

Yi Mu Cao is not a catch-all menstrual or diuretic herb. Breaking when there is no stasis, or use in pregnancy, can stir blood and harm the fetus. Fresh or dried should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Yi Mu Cao: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Herba Leonuri

Botanical Origin

The fresh or dried aerial portion of Leonurus japonicas Houtt.(Lamiaceae)

Production Regions

Produced all around China.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has tender branch, yellowish-green color, with leaves and flowers.

Macroscopic Features

Fresh yi mu cao: The seedling stage has no stem, heart-like leaves grow out from base, 5~9 shallow lobes at the edge, each lobe has 2~3 blunt teeth. At the early flowering stage, the stem is square and pillar-like, upper portion is often branched, four sides indented into longitudinal grooves, 30~60cm long, 0.2~0.5cm diameter; externally blue-green, tender texture, fractured surface center has pith. Alternating leaves, with stem; leaf is blue-green, tender texture, juicy when twisted; lower portion has 3 palmate lobes leaves growing from the stem, upper leaves are pinnatipartite or 3 shallow lobes, entire lobe or with few saw-teeth. faint odor, slightly bitter. Dried yi mu cao: stem surface is grayish-green or yellowish-green, light in weight, pliable texture, fractured surface center has pith. Leaf is grayish-green, often wrinkles, broken, easily broken. verticillaster grows at the axils, small flower is pale purple, calyx is tubular, corolla has two lips. Decoction pieces are about 2cm long.

Origin and Quality Identification

While it grows across most of China, including Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shandong provinces, quality depends heavily on harvest timing and processing.

Quality Markers: High-quality raw Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) has light yellow-green stems that are crisp and easy to snap. The leaves are grayish-green, often mixed with light purple flowers, and it has a slightly bitter smell.
Wine-Processed Version: This version is slightly darker, softer, and carries a faint wine aroma.
Lookalikes: Be careful not to confuse it with other plants in the same family, which may have different leaf shapes, flower colors, and weaker scents.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid, Bitter; CoolHeartLiverBladder

1. Historical Records in Herbal Texts

The understanding of this herb has evolved over thousands of years:

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: Initially noted its use as a bath wash to soothe itchy skin and rashes.
Ming Yi Bie Lu: Added that it promotes urination and clears toxins.
Xin Xiu Ben Cao: Mentioned its external use for reducing swelling and treating bug bites.
Ben Cao Gang Mu: Clarified its modern primary use, highlighting its powerful ability to "invigorate blood, break up stasis, regulate menstruation, and clear toxins."
De Pei Ben Cao: Noted its famous pairings, stating it works well with Dang Gui (Angelica Root) and Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) for postpartum recovery.

2. Evolution of Medicinal Understanding

Early Years: Ancient doctors viewed it mostly as a topical herb for skin issues and detoxification.
Tang and Song Dynasties: Practitioners began to realize its internal benefits for moving blood and clearing fluids, making it a staple in gynecological care.
Ming and Qing Dynasties: Doctors further refined its use, emphasizing its cold nature. They noted it is perfect for blood stasis accompanied by heat, but strongly warned that because its blood-moving action is so potent, it should be used with extreme caution in people with severe physical weakness or deficiency.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, adjusts menstruation, eliminates water. Apply to irregular menses, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and difficult labor, retention of afterbirth, postpartum anemic fainting, bloody phlegm and stomachache, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, hematuria, bloody diarrhea, furuncles and ulcers.

1. Primary Focus: Invigorating Blood and Regulating Menstruation

Traditional Function: Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) is a classic herb for invigorating blood and regulating menstruation. It clears blood stasis to help normalize the menstrual cycle and relieve period discomfort.
Target Symptoms: It is commonly used for irregular menstruation caused by blood stasis. Typical signs include a scanty flow, dark red blood with clots, delayed periods, lower abdominal pain that worsens with pressure, and emotional irritability.
Common Pairings: In clinical settings, it is frequently combined with Dang Gui (Angelica Root) and Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root) to enhance its blood-moving effects. If blood deficiency is also present, blood-nourishing herbs are added to prevent depleting the body.
When to Avoid: Do not use this herb if your menstrual flow is heavy, bright red, and thin (indicating blood heat or blood deficiency), as it may worsen bleeding or further deplete your Qi and blood.

2. Secondary Focus: Promoting Urination and Reducing Edema

Traditional Function: Its secondary core function is promoting the discharge of excess fluids to reduce swelling and edema.
Target Symptoms: It is often used for edema caused by damp-heat and stasis. Symptoms include swollen limbs (with slight pitting upon pressure), scanty and dark yellow urine, a heavy feeling in the body, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating.
Common Pairings: It is usually paired with fluid-draining herbs like Fu Ling (Poria) and Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome). Because fluid retention and blood stasis often trigger each other, blood-moving herbs are also commonly included in the mix.
When to Avoid: Avoid using it if your swelling is caused by Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, which typically presents as severe lower-body swelling, clear and abundant urine, fear of cold, and icy hands and feet.

3. Common Herb Pairings: Synergistic Duos

A famous pairing is Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) and Dang Gui (Angelica Root).
Why it works: Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) strongly moves blood and clears fluids, while Dang Gui (Angelica Root) nourishes the blood and relieves pain. Together, they create a balanced synergy—pushing away stasis without exhausting the body's blood supply. This duo is highly effective for period irregularities and cramps involving both blood stasis and deficiency. Note: Always use under professional TCM guidance.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Components

Modern science has identified several active compounds in the plant, including alkaloids (like leonurine), flavonoids (such as quercetin), and organic acids.

Lab Studies: In test tubes, some of these compounds show cellular activity.
Animal Studies: When given to animals, extracts of the herb have been observed to cause uterine smooth muscle contractions and influence fluid metabolism. However, these are strictly lab results and lack comprehensive human clinical trials.

2. Modern Pharmacological Research Directions

Current research mostly focuses on how its specific components might regulate uterine contractions and impact the body's water metabolism. While the laboratory data is interesting, it is still in the preliminary stages and cannot replace traditional clinical guidelines.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

It is important to view modern research with a critical eye:

Lab vs. Reality: What happens in a test tube or an animal model doesn't always translate to the human body.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Lab studies often use highly concentrated, single-chemical extracts, whereas TCM uses the whole dried herb as a boiled tea. The dosage and effects are completely different.
Holistic Synergy: You cannot judge a traditional herb based on one isolated chemical. TCM relies on the complex, synergistic interaction of all the compounds within the plant working together.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Shared Traits with Similar Herbs

Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) and Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) are closely related in function:

Both invigorate the blood and regulate menstruation.
Both are staple herbs in routine gynecological care for blood stasis issues.

2. Core Differences

Nature and Flavor: Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) is cold, bitter, and pungent. Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) is slightly warm, bitter, and pungent. This difference in temperature (cold vs. warm) is their most fundamental distinction.
Action Focus: Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) excels at moving blood while clearing damp-heat. Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) is better at moving blood while regulating Qi and warming fluids, making it a better fit for Qi stagnation.
Target Symptoms: Use Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) for blood stasis with heat signs (dark clots, painful periods, yellow urine, yellow tongue coating). Use Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) for blood stasis driven by Qi stagnation (breast/rib distension, emotional stress, thin white tongue coating).
When to Avoid: Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) should not be used for cold-deficiency periods (pale blood, fear of cold). Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) should be avoided for heavy bleeding caused by blood heat (bright red, sticky blood).

3. A One-Sentence Summary

Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) is your go-to for clearing blood stasis mixed with damp-heat, while Ze Lan (Lycopus Herb) is better suited for blood stasis combined with Qi stagnation and cold.

Classical Formulas Containing Yi Mu Cao

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

天麻鉤藤飲Assistant

Formula CategoryLiver-Wind Extinguishing FormulasPrimary PatternLiver FirePrimary FunctionCalm Liver Yang, extinguish internal wind, clear heatRelated ConditionsHeadache·Dizziness & Vertigo·Tinnitus·Anxiety Restlessness

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Teas

Yi Mu Cao and Rose Tea:
- Ingredients: 5g dried Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort), 3g Mei Gui Hua (Rose Buds).
- Method: Steep both ingredients in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Best For: Mild premenstrual or menstrual lower abdominal pain, dark menstrual blood with small clots, and slight emotional irritability.
- Avoid If: You have a heavy menstrual flow, a cold and deficient constitution, or if you are pregnant.
- Frequency: Drink 2 to 3 times a week. These are medicinal herbs, not regular daily beverages.

2. Preparation Differences

Raw vs. Processed: Raw Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) is best for clearing damp-heat and promoting urination. The wine-processed version (treated with yellow wine) is slightly stronger at moving blood and warming the meridians, making it better for stubborn stasis.
Cooking Tip: For home use, raw herbal pieces can simply be simmered in water alongside other ingredients without any special pre-treatment. Do not swap raw herbs for concentrated extracts, as the dosages vary wildly.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycles

Dosage: Clinical prescriptions usually range from 10–15g. For home dietary use, keep the dose mild (under 5g).
Duration: Do not use this herb continuously for more than 1 week. If your symptoms do not improve, seek professional medical advice.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Blood Heat Conditions: If you experience heavy, bright red, sticky menstrual bleeding accompanied by dry mouth and constipation, do not use this herb.
Pregnancy and Nursing: Strictly contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of uterine contractions. Nursing mothers must consult a doctor before use.
Children and Seniors: Not recommended for self-use due to sensitive or weakened organ functions.
Liver or Kidney Issues: Consult a healthcare provider before use, as impaired organs struggle to metabolize medications properly.
Allergies: Avoid if you are allergic to mint family (Lamiaceae) plants.

2. Medication Interactions and Dietary Notes

Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) may interact with blood thinners (like Warfarin), potentially altering their effects.
It may also interact with blood pressure and diabetes medications. If you are on any chronic medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist before introducing this herb.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose

Mild Side Effects: Some people may experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Allergic reactions like skin rashes and itching are also possible.
Emergency: If you experience severe allergic reactions, continuous vomiting, breathing difficulties, or a rapid worsening of symptoms, stop using the herb immediately and seek emergency medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yi Mu Cao

What is Yi Mu Cao? Are Chong Wei Zi, fresh Yi Mu Cao and Yi Mu Cao Gao the same?

Official Yi Mu Cao (益母草) is the fresh or dried aerial part of Leonurus japonicus. The pharmacopoeial name is Leonuri Herba. Fresh motherwort is richer in alkaloids; its dose differs from the dry herb. Chong Wei Zi is the fruit of the same plant: invigorates Blood, regulates menses and clears the Liver to brighten the eyes—a separate monograph. Yi Mu Cao Gao is a prepared paste whose strength and excipients vary; it is not a gram-for-gram swap with fresh herb. Write Yi Mu Cao or Xian Yi Mu Cao.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yi Mu Cao?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yi Mu Cao is bitter, acrid and slightly cold, enters the Liver, Pericardium and Bladder channels, and acts to invigorate Blood and regulate menses, promote urination and disperse swelling, and clear heat and resolve toxin. It is used for irregular menses, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, incomplete lochia, edema with scant urine, and sores. Acrid-bitter and slightly cold, it suits static menstrual and postpartum patterns and water-stasis binding—not Blood vacuity without stasis, and not pregnancy.

How do you choose dry herb, fresh herb and the paste?

Decoction usually uses sectioned dry herb; fresh herb is stronger and must be named Xian Yi Mu Cao. Regulating menses often uses the patent Yi Mu Cao Gao—follow the label and a practitioner; it is not a four-season “women’s Blood tonic paste.” A square stem with pith and gray-green leaves marks the genuine article.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a menses and edema tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is dry 9–30 g; fresh 12–40 g. It is not a four-season “motherwort menses tea.” Vacuity without stasis and heavy menses only empty further. Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum lochia and edema need a practitioner to name dry or fresh and a short course; do not take oversized long courses (kidney and liver burden).

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Forbid in pregnancy (it contracts the uterus). Use caution in Yin-Blood vacuity without stasis and heavy menses. Liver or kidney impairment and anticoagulants need a practitioner. Stop and seek care if dizziness, scant urine or yellow eyes appear. After delivery use only once lochia stasis is confirmed—not “must drink after every birth.”

Can Yi Mu Cao regulate menses, promote urination and disperse swelling?

It can help Blood-stasis menstrual and postpartum patterns and water-stasis edema. Dysmenorrhea may join Corydalis, angelica and chuanxiong. Incomplete lochia may follow the idea of Sheng Hua Tang (angelica, chuanxiong, peach kernel, blast-fried ginger, licorice). Scant-urine edema may join Imperata and Lycopus. It invigorates Blood and promotes urination—not a specific for every irregular period, every edema or every postpartum course. Hemorrhage, eclampsia and acute abdomen are emergencies.

Can Yi Mu Cao be drunk daily as a slimming, beautifying or period-opening tea?

Blood-stasis dysmenorrhea and mild edema may enter a short formula; vacuity without stasis only empties further. “Motherwort slims and beautifies” does not replace gynecologic assessment; pregnancy forbids it. Invigorating Blood, regulating menses and dispersing swelling should name dry Yi Mu Cao 9–30 g.

How do you choose among Yi Mu Cao, Chong Wei Zi, Dang Gui, Ze Lan and Tao Ren?

Motherwort is bitter-acrid and slightly cold: invigorates Blood, regulates menses, promotes urination, disperses swelling and clears heat-toxin—Liver-Pericardium-Bladder, specific for menstrual-postpartum stasis and water-stasis. Leonurus fruit is acrid and slightly cold: invigorates Blood, regulates menses and clears the Liver to brighten the eyes—a seed, leaning toward eye disease. Angelica is sweet-acrid-warm: tonifies and invigorates Blood, regulates menses, stops pain and moistens the intestines—the source of formed Blood. Lycopus is bitter-acrid and slightly warm: invigorates Blood, regulates menses, dispels stasis, disperses welling-abscess and promotes urination—postpartum edema. Peach kernel is bitter-sweet-neutral: invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and moistens the intestines—stronger at breaking stasis. Menstrual-postpartum water-stasis favors Yi Mu Cao; red eyes plus menstrual disease favor Chong Wei Zi; Blood vacuity favors Dang Gui; postpartum edema favors Ze Lan; dry Blood constipation favors Tao Ren. They may be paired; pregnancy and vacuity without stasis forbid pure breaking of Blood.

Which herbs is Yi Mu Cao combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Dysmenorrhea joins Corydalis, angelica, chuanxiong and Cyperus. Postpartum lochia follows the idea of Sheng Hua Tang. Edema joins Imperata, Poria and Lycopus. A common patent is Yi Mu Cao Gao. Write dry or fresh and the gram dose; do not use in pregnancy.

How do you choose and store Yi Mu Cao?

Choose square stems with longitudinal grooves and pith, gray-green leaves, pale-purple verticillaster flowers, a faint odor and a slightly bitter taste. Yellow, withered, moldy and leafless stalks are inferior. Store dry herb dry; keep fresh herb cool and damp for short use. Buy pharmacopoeial Yi Mu Cao; do not replace invigorating Blood, regulating menses and promoting urination with Chong Wei Zi or an unidentified mint-family herb by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.