Motherwort + valerian + hawthorn + Mg 100 mg + B6 1.4 mg, 60 tablets

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a perennial plant of the mint family with an upright, branching stem; its herb is used in teas and infusions. Hawthorn (Crataegus rhipidophylla) is a shrub or small tree of the rose family with toothed leaves and small fruit; in this product it is the leaves that are used. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a plant with pinnate leaves whose rhizomes and roots are traditionally used in infusions and teas. All three have long been familiar in Europe and still grow in meadows, at woodland edges and in gardens.

Magnesium is a mineral that takes part in many processes in the body. A large share of the body’s magnesium is in the bones, the rest in cells and blood; the human body does not make magnesium, so it has to be taken in with food. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs in nature in several forms.

This is a coated-tablet product: 60 tablets, each coated with the glazing agent polyvinyl alcohol. The tablet form means the dose in each unit is the same.

The three herbs here are dry extracts at a ratio of 5:1. This figure means that one part of extract is obtained from five parts of herbal raw material. So 56.7 mg of valerian root extract is equivalent to 283.3 mg of valerian root herb, 15 mg of hawthorn leaf extract is equivalent to 75 mg of herb, and 8.3 mg of motherwort herb extract is equivalent to 41.5 mg of herb.

The magnesium here is in the form of magnesium oxide. Supplements also use magnesium as citrate, bisglycinate or lactate, and the main difference is how much elemental magnesium each form contains per gram. Vitamin B6 is in the form of pyridoxine hydrochloride, one of the usual forms of B6 in supplements, whereas the active form in the body is pyridoxal 5-phosphate.

Magnesium is part of chlorophyll, so green leaves contain a relatively large amount. Vitamin B6 is not tied to one food group: it is found in foods of both animal and plant origin.

• Green leafy vegetables: spinach, broccoli, kale.
• Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
• Wholegrains: buckwheat, rolled oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread.
• Pulses: lentils, beans, chickpeas.
• Sources of B6: meat, liver, fish, eggs, dairy products, potatoes, bananas.

The label provides for one tablet a day for adults, with a stated duration of use of 30 days. The pack holds 60 tablets, so it can be treated as two 30-day courses. The simplest way is to choose the same time of day, for example breakfast or dinner, and keep the pack where you see it every day. Take the tablet with a glass of water.

If you take other products that contain magnesium or B6, add up the total amount and do not exceed the dose stated on the label. Calcium and iron products, and also zinc and iron products, are best taken at different meals. Iron is not taken at the same time as tea or coffee; this product contains no iron, so you do not need to move the dose because of coffee.

The list of ingredients is in descending order by weight, so the first entry is not necessarily the “active” ingredient. First in the list is microcrystalline cellulose, a bulking agent, second is magnesium oxide, third is valerian root extract, and the hawthorn and motherwort extracts come after the anti-caking agents.

Look for exact amounts in the table “Contains, 1 tablet”. The % NRV column shows what share of the nutrient reference value one dose provides.

The label also gives the net weight of 50.4 g, the duration of use of 30 days and a note that the product is not recommended in case of individual intolerance to any ingredient. The pack holds 60 tablets, which is two 30-day courses. See the expiry date on the pack.

Of these three products, only the first contains all three herbs (motherwort, valerian and hawthorn) in one tablet, and only its pack holds 60 tablets. The other two are packs of 30 tablets with one herb. If you want a longer-lasting pack with a lower price per day, this product gives you that; if you want a smaller pack with the emphasis on one herb, one of the 30-tablet options will do.

How should I store this product?

Store this product in the original pack, in a dry place at room temperature and out of the reach of children. After use, keep the pack tightly closed.

Can I take it with coffee?

You can take this product at your usual time with a glass of water, as the label sets no restriction on coffee. If you take an iron product alongside, it is not advisable to take it at the same time as tea or coffee. This product contains no iron, so you do not need to move the dose because of coffee.

Is the product suitable for vegetarians?

The label of this product lists no animal-derived ingredients: the list has cellulose, magnesium oxide, herbal extracts, calcium carbonate, anti-caking agents, pyridoxine hydrochloride and polyvinyl alcohol. If you avoid particular substances, check the full composition on the pack before use.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a tablet, continue the next day with your usual dose: one tablet at your usual time. The label reminds you not to exceed the recommended daily dose, which for this product is one tablet.

Can I take it during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The label does not recommend this product for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are planning a pregnancy, are breastfeeding or take regular medication, talk to your doctor before use.

Can I take it together with other magnesium products?

You can take this product together with other magnesium products, but then you must add up the total amount of magnesium per day. This tablet contains 100 mg of magnesium, or 27% NRV, and the label asks you not to exceed the recommended daily dose.