Cardiac in Herbal Medicine: Properties of the Heart

Scientific name

Leonorus cardiaca L.

Family

Labiatae

Origin

Plant of Asian origin but also widespread in Northern Italy

Used Parts

Drug given by the leaves.

Chemical constituents

Guanidine alkaloids (leonurine);
Betanic alkaloids (stachidrina);
Flavonoids (genkwanina);
Iridoid glycosides (leonuride);
triterpenes;
Diterpene lactones;
Essential oil;
saponins;
Tannins.

Cardiac in Herbal Medicine: Properties of the Heart

The cardiac exercises its therapeutic activity on the cardiovascular function, reducing the hyperstimulation typical of hyperthyroidism; moreover, it has a neurosedative and cardiosedative action when taken in association with mild sedatives (lemon balm, hop, hypericum). For these reasons, the cardiac is particularly indicated in functional tachycardias, as a complement in the treatment of arterial hypertension and hyperthyroidism. Popular medicine also recommends cardiac medicine in the presence of amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and menopausal disorders.

Contraindications

Avoid taking in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components.

Cardiac is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the action of leonurine on the myometrium (uterotonic property). At high doses, cardiac preparations can cause uterine bleeding.