Leonurus cardiaca

Other names: Zemedýmek

Typical woundwort of damp margins; pink lipped flowers in whorls.

Square stem, bracts, typical mint-family flowers in whorls.

Family: Lamiaceae
Plant type: Perennial herb
Safety level (indicative): Caution

What the safety levels mean (expand legend)

Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.

Zemedýmek lékařský — habitus rostliny (Wikimedia Commons). — Fotografie na Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Plant habit

Safety — read before use

For this herb it is important to check warnings, mix-ups and cautions. Start with the Safety section.

Quick overview

A practical summary; details are in the sections below.

Safety grade: Caution·details
Scientific sources on the card: Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
When and what to harvest: Leaf — May–September
Full harvest section
Processing methods: Herbal infusion (tea), Syrup, Honey macerate
All methods and recipes on the card
Topics and symptoms: Menstrual comfort, Nausea & queasy stomach, Topic…
Topics section · Symptoms overview

Identification and mix-ups

Calyx teeth fall away after flowering.

Possible mix-ups and risks

Other woundworts by habit and flowers.

Similar herbs

No related herbs are linked yet.

Topics and symptoms

More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.

Menstrual comfort
Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
Nausea & queasy stomach
Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
Topic
Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
Women's topics in folk herbalism
Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing

Geographic occurrence

Czechia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Austria
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Germany
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Hungary
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Poland
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Slovakia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

Harvest

LeafMay–September
léto
Region: Czechia
Notes: Harvest note (full translation pending): Nat nebo list v suchu; cista stanoviste.

Storage

Drying(Leaf)
Sušený rostlinný materiál uchovávej v uzavřené nádobě.
Light:
Mimo přímé UV.
Moisture:
Nízká relativní vlhkost.

Processing methods on this herb card

Herbal infusion (tea)(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability
Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.
Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Procedure (recipe)
Motherwort infusion
About 12 min · Difficulty: Beginner
1. Use 1–2 teaspoons of dried herb with leaves per cup.
2. Pour boiling water, cover, and steep 8–12 minutes.
3. Strain — bitterness typical of many Lamiaceae herbs; use short-term.
Pregnancy and lactation: consult a qualified professional — see warnings on the herb card.
Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)
Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural in intent; it does not automatically match the extraction or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with a clinician if you use medication.
What is typically released
orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, času řezu a poměrech
Solvent / water
mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
After preparation
po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)
Extra literature for the recipe
- Vyhledávání studií (PubMed apod.)Konkrétní vědecká tvrzení ověř na kartě byliny a v primární literatuře.
Syrup(Leaf)Suitability: Medium suitability
Decoction or infusion with sweetener and reduction; shelf life depends on sugar and storage.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Syrups combine a herbal base with sugar or honey and often a short boil to concentrate and improve hygiene. Preservation depends strongly on water content, sugar level, and bottling practice.
Home syrups may fall under food rules; store in the fridge after opening per recipe.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Procedure (recipe)
Ground ivy syrup
About 45 min · Difficulty: Beginner
1. Steep 2–3 tsp dried tops in 400 ml boiling water under a lid for 15 minutes, then strain.
2. Stir in honey or sugar with gentle warming.
3. Store refrigerated; bitter mint-family notes are common — dilute to taste.
Pregnancy and lactation — check professional guidance and warnings on the herb card.
Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)
Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.
What is typically released
orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, času řezu a poměrech
Solvent / water
mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
After preparation
po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)
Extra literature for the recipe
- Vyhledávání studií (PubMed apod.)Konkrétní vědecká tvrzení ověř na kartě byliny a v primární literatuře.
Honey macerate(Leaf)Suitability: Medium suitability
Macerating plant material in honey (a honey conserve).
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Honey as a maceration medium creates a viscous mixture with its own biochemistry: water activity, acidity, and enzymes influence shelf life and flavour. Traditionally it is used with delicate flowers or herbs when you want aroma bound into honey.
Infant botulism guidance for honey and honey safety in general sit outside a single herb page; maceration time, ratios, and storage must follow a vetted recipe and source, not this general overview alone.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Procedure (recipe)
Ground ivy honey
About 30 min · Difficulty: Beginner
1. Fill a jar about one third with dried tops and cover with honey.
2. Macerate 2–3 weeks, then strain — mildly bitter mint-family notes.
Pregnancy and lactation — discuss with a professional source and the warnings on the herb card.
Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)
Many Lamiaceae herbs carry bitter diterpenes and tannins; as a maceration medium honey gradually extracts polar fractions. There is no approved monograph equivalent for dosing such a home macerate.
What is typically released
Hořké a taninové frakce částečně v medu.
Solvent / water
Med; macerace 2–3 týdny.
After preparation
Po scedění chladně.
Extra literature for the recipe
- Vyhledávání studií (PubMed apod.)Obecný vstup; konkrétní tvrzení ověř na kartě byliny.

Traditional / spiritual use

Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.

Related guides in the library

Valerian and airy white inflorescence (symbolic)

Traditional folk context
General
The herb appears in older folk customs referenced on Czech cards. This note is cultural memory and seasonal storytelling — not a dosing guide, clinical indication, or substitute for the safety section.
Form:
různé
Claim strength:
Tradition
Source note:
Cultural framing only.

Scientific notes

Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.

How to read evidence strength and study type labels

Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.

Evidence strength

Evidence level not specified: The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
Narrative / orientational literature: Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
Weak evidence: Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
Preliminary findings: First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
Moderate strength of evidence: Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
Stronger evidence: Stronger design or consistency of results within the study’s stated limits.
Review article: A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.

Study type

Narrative / expert text: Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
In vitro study: Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
Animal study: Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
Observational study: Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
Clinical trial: Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
Randomised controlled trial: Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
Review study: A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
Systematic review: Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
Meta-analysis: Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…): Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
Expert monograph (herbal preparations): Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.

Evidence summary (full translation pending): O ucincich a bezpecnosti existuje odborna literatura; zaznam je orientacni a nenahrazuje peci odbornika.
Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert text
Limitations: Limitations (translation pending): Seed katalogu — dopln konkretni studie podle obsahu.
Vyhledávání studií (PubMed apod.)

Images

The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.

Safety

What the warning types mean

The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.

Internal use: Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
Interactions / medicines: Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
Raw plant parts: Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
Toxins and regulation: Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
Contact with the plant: Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
Allergy: Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
Harvesting and contamination: Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.

Safety information (full translation pending)Moderate severityInternal use
This warning is being translated to English. Czech editor text: Tehotenstvi a kojeni Zemedymek byva v textech spojovan s delozni aktivitou — v tehotenstvi a pri nejasnostech se informuj u odbornika.