Motherwort
1 food contains this ingredient
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About Motherwort
Motherwort is a flowering herb sometimes added to pet supplements for its traditional use in cardiovascular and calming support.
Motherwort is an herbal botanical occasionally used in pet supplements or functional foods for its traditional calming and cardiovascular-supporting properties rather than as a source of calories or protein, so it contributes bioactive compounds rather than meaningful nutritional value. Evidence in dogs and cats is limited, and motherwort can cause gastrointestinal upset, interact with anticoagulant or sedative medications, and may stimulate the uterus (contraindicated in pregnant animals), so use should be guided by a veterinarian.
- Derived from
- Leonurus cardiaca plant (leaves/aerial parts)
- Primary role
- botanical additive for traditional calming/cardiac support
Why it's used
Motherwort is included in some herbal pet supplements based on its long traditional use for nervous heart conditions and mild anxiety, rather than for any caloric or macronutrient contribution. A peer-reviewed pharmacology review reports that the plant has demonstrated sedative, mild negative chronotropic (heart-rate-slowing), and hypotensive effects along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory and clinical research.
Common concerns
- Limited evidence in dogs and cats specifically Most pharmacological research on Leonurus cardiaca comes from human or laboratory studies rather than controlled trials in dogs or cats, so its effects in companion animals are largely extrapolated rather than directly established.
- Interaction potential with cardiac and sedative medications Herbal product guidance for motherwort warns against combining it with blood pressure medication, cardiac drugs, cardiac glycosides, or blood thinners, given its documented hypotensive and heart-rate-slowing activity.
- Use in pregnancy Motherwort has a traditional history of use for gynecological and uterine conditions, and herbal sources caution against its use in pregnant animals for that reason.
Also relevant
Herbal supplement products containing motherwort typically recommend veterinary guidance before use, particularly for pets already on heart or sedative medications.
Common Questions
What category is Motherwort?
Motherwort is categorized as a herb ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Motherwort part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Motherwort in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Motherwort?
1 food in the KibbleLab database contain Motherwort, including Only Natural Pet.
Foods with Motherwort
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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