Motherwort, the Marvelous Mood-Melter

Top 4. Jan 26, 2000 11:42 PM

» Jojo - motherwort seedlings

When I sprouted mine, I did it outdoors during the summer, right where they were to grow. If you promise to water well and not let weeds grow there, I'm sure you could start yours outdoors as well.

The only problem is they really like sun, and maybe your NY summers would be too hot for a young motherwort seedling. Alot of gardeners have a seed bed that is in a bit of shade, and within easy access of watering. When perennial seedlings are 3 inches high, they can be pricked out and moved to where they are to grow for the rest of their days.

If your soil is very heavy, mix in some lightening ingredients to your seedbed. I cheated and used an old bag of potting mix that was here already. It contained peat and perlite (the white stuff). The ground looks ugly with all those little white bits, but the seedlings like it.

-- posted by Jojo

Top 5. Jan 27, 2000 12:18 PM

» Carol Wallace - I'm surprised you never wrote about this before

Seems like we went through gallons of the stuff when we were all playing in Scribbles. In fact, the local herb farm sells it, and I came very close to buying a plant last spring until I realized I had absolutely no information on cultural requirements or what size it would get - so I didn't know if I had a spot for it anywhere. Next spring I'll have to buy a couple.

-- posted by Carol Wallace

Top 6. Jan 28, 2000 10:22 AM

» LadyB - Merciful Motherwort, ladies!!

Momwort is one of the grand and great WEEDS, truly. I've found it coming up just EVERYWHERE and yet, most often HERE (southern Hudson Valley, NY) I'll find it at the edge of the woods. Although I have SEEN it grow in full sun, it most often seems to CHOOSE to hang out at the wood's edge.

Since it reseeds so very easily on its own, I'm not sure that stratifying for a bit in the fridge wouldn't be a bad idea. I've always found it where I needed it, so although I've often gathered seeds, I don't believe I've actually put the effort into starting them.

There is an utterly spectacular new book out by Lee Sturdivant and Tim Blakley on "Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field and Marketplace" WHAT a resource! Let's see what Tim has to say about seriously growing Motherwort....nope, no stratifying notes, his experience has the seeds germinating in 2-3 weeks, and what you start in the 'nursery' is ready to plant out into the garden in 8-12 weeks. They're hardy to zone 3 and yes, will grow in just about ANY soil, but your production certainly increases in rich soil. I agree with that. Oh, here we go...want to get serious about having a Motherwort Farm?? If you do it well, you can get 1,200 - 2,500 lbs per acre. Oh YES, that's a lot of "There, There...."

I've often seen it INCLUDED in teas with other things, I would imagine it might be a bit bitter all by itself. I tincture all of mine fresh. It is TRULY wonderful stuff, and yes, quite a pretty plant on its own.(Just introduce your neighbors to it properly!)

-- posted by LadyB

Top 7. Jun 21, 2001 12:28 PM

» karaanne - Re: Momwort look-alikes

I am thinking of starting some motherwart plants for my own tincture making. What is a good motherwart to liquid ratio?

Thanks,
Kara

-- posted by karaanne

Top 8. Jun 30, 2001 9:59 AM

» LadyB - Re: Re: Momwort look-alikes

In response to message posted by karaanne:

Basically it's one-to-one,karaanne, using FRESH plant material and 100 proof vodka. I wait until the plants are in bloom and then chop the leaves, flowers and the tender parts of the stems until I FILL a jar completely, packed moderately. Then I pour in enough 100 proof vodka to completely cover the plant material, filling the jar to the very top, put the lid on, label it for 6 weeks from when I made it and there you go!

Though you may not get much from your first year's planting, Motherwort is QUITE a perennial and will get bigger and bigger every year if it's happy as well as tossing seeds all OVER the place.

-- posted by LadyB

Top 9. Apr 23, 2003 7:52 PM

» LadyB - Re: Re: Re: Momwort look-alikes

In response to message posted by LadyB:

TWO YEARS LATER.....I reply to my own message. Let's see, in the TWO YEARS since last I posted, I've moved a few times already. I now find myself in Cold Spring, NY...renting an apartment in the upper floor of a barn/garage. THIS property is HIGHLY populated with MOTHERWORT!!! I mean, it is just EVERYWHERE! What a lovely pleasure to already be working AROUND it in the garden, popping puppies out of the lawn and putting them in pots to share...oh, yes, it's going to be a GRAND season for Motherwort.....

-- posted by LadyB

Top 10. Nov 2, 2005 6:25 AM

» NaganoAlps - motherwort

I'm living here in Japan, surprised to see there is a festival centered around motherwort. I'm interested in the uses, namely the "there, there" quality of this herb. What, if any, are some of the concerns about using it? I've not found anything that could be considered negative but would like to hear from others about this. I purchased some from the U.S. and my wife has taken to it and seems to be embracing it's wonderful qualities. As well, I am enjoying those wonderful qualities, at work in her. But, she has low blood pressure and momwort is known as a blood thinner. Should I be concerned about this?

-- posted by NaganoAlps

Top 11. Apr 10, 2006 5:31 PM

» caffeinefree - motherwort

In response to motherwort posted by NaganoAlps:

I"d love to know more about the festival in Japan for Motherwort. Can you tell me the Japanese name for Motherwort? I'm creating an anti-anxiety tea for a major US tea company and I'm thinking of basing it on Motherwort. I like the Japanese connection and would like to know more about how the Japanese use and revere Motherwort!

-- posted by caffeinefree

Top 12. Apr 10, 2006 5:32 PM

» caffeinefree - motherwort

In response to motherwort posted by NaganoAlps:

-- posted by caffeinefree