Motherwort Seed

익모초 (茺蔚子) · Leonurus japonicus Houtt.

Liver-clearing, eye-brightening herb Slightly warm (some sources: slightly cold) Pungent, sweet Liver, Kidney

NatureSlightly warm (some sources: slightly cold)

TastePungent, sweet

MeridiansLiver, Kidney

Part usedSeed

FamilyLamiaceae

CategoryLiver-clearing, eye-brightening herb

Find by concern: Edema

Overview

Everyone recognizes ingmocho ("benefits the mother") as the go-to herb for women's health, but that famous reputation for pregnancy, childbirth, and menstrual regulation belongs specifically to a sub-entry the Donguibogam records separately — the stem and leaf, called "women's immortal medicine." This entry, the seed of the very same plant, was recorded for a different, quieter purpose: brightening the eyes and boosting essence.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性微溫一云微寒, 味辛甘, 無毒. 主明目, 益精, 除水氣.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is slightly warm (some say slightly cold), its taste pungent and sweet, and it is non-toxic. It mainly brightens the eyes, boosts essence, and removes water-qi.

Traditional functions

Brightens the eyes
Boosts essence
Removes water-qi

Traditional applications

Blurred or weak vision
Essence deficiency
Water retention, edema

Traditional preparation

Decoction 4–12g.

Cautions

Caution: This is the seed specifically — the famous reputation for menstrual and pregnancy-related use belongs to a different sub-entry (the stem and leaf). Consult a professional to confirm which part suits your purpose.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the famous ingmocho used for women's health?

It's the same plant, but a different part. The Donguibogam records the stem and leaf — not this seed — as "women's immortal medicine" for conception and menstrual regulation. This entry, the seed, is recorded for brightening the eyes and boosting essence instead.

Why is it called "motherwort" (ingmocho, 益母)?

The Donguibogam explains the stem-and-leaf sub-entry earned this name for its use in helping women before and after childbirth — a reputation that belongs to that part specifically, not the seed covered here.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.