Leonurus cardiaca

Leonurus cardiaca, also known as Cow Wort or Lion's Tail, is a recognised medicinal plant, as well as a hardy perennial that adds charm to wildflower beds. Widely spread in our countryside, this hairy plant, which is perfectly hardy, forms a clump of basal leaves from which numerous leafy stems adorned with countless small flowers, ranging from pink to purplish, emerge in late spring. Undemanding, tolerating most climates and exposures, it is content with ordinary, well-drained soil and rainwater.

Leonurus cardiaca belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes many aromatic and medicinal plants like sages, mints, lavenders, and rosemarys. It is a tall perennial plant native to Europe, Asia, and Algeria.  A large rosette, 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24in) wide, emerges from a robust stump in spring, forming a cushion of leaves divided into 5 to 7 very sharp lobes, dark green on the upper side, hairy and whitish on the underside. From this rosette, robust flowering stems covered in leaves, branching, square in section, and blackish, often reaching 1 m (3ft) in height, emerge in May-June. The numerous bilabiate flowers, carried in whorls in the axils of the leaves along almost the entire length of the stems, are pink, slightly streaked with yellow when observed closely. This flowering, which lasts until September, is highly visited by pollinating insects. In the garden, numerous spontaneous seedlings can appear under favourable conditions. The above-ground vegetation, which is deciduous, emerges in spring and dries up in autumn.

Leonurus cardiaca is a very robust perennial plant that tolerates many situations, and is easy to combine with other wild or more sophisticated flowers. Plant it at the edge of woodlands, in a rather wild garden, in the company of Cimicifuga, Astrantia, Ligularia tangutica, Luzula sylvatica, in a fresh, clay soil where it self-seeds spontaneously. Under these conditions, it can become very tall, in a moist to wet soil and in slightly shaded places. It can also be planted in a corner of the vegetable garden, with vegetables and herbs.

Properties:

The fruits of Leonurus cardiaca are distinguished by their very hairy appearance, toning properties, and a shape reminiscent of a human heart. The plant has calming, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, and soothing properties. Leonurus cardiaca is also prescribed as an accessory remedy in the treatment of epilepsy. The use of this powerful plant should be reserved for professionals.