Definition

1. Noun:
   • Motherwort (the plant): "Ích mẫu" refers to a specific herbaceous plant, scientifically known as Leonurus japonicus, commonly used in traditional medicine.
   • A medicinal herb: The term denotes the dried parts (typically leaves and stems) of this plant, processed for use as a herbal remedy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cao ích mẫu thường được dùng để điều hòa kinh nguyệt. (Motherwort extract is often used to regulate menstruation.)
  • Bà tôi hay hái cây ích mẫu mọc hoang trong vườn. (My grandmother often picks wild motherwort plants growing in the garden.)
  • Ích mẫu là một vị thuốc quen thuộc trong y học cổ truyền. (Motherwort is a familiar herb in traditional medicine.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ích mẫu tử": This is a related but distinct term. It refers specifically to the seeds of the motherwort plant (), which have different medicinal properties and uses compared to the aerial parts ("ích mẫu").
  • Ích mẫu tử có tác dụng bổ mắt, khác với công dụng của thân lá. (Motherwort seeds have benefits for the eyes, different from the uses of the stems and leaves.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cây ích mẫu: Motherwort plant. This compound explicitly specifies the living plant.
• Cỏ ích mẫu: Motherwort grass/herb. This compound emphasizes its nature as a herb.
• Thảo dược ích mẫu: Motherwort herbal medicine.
• Agripaume / Léonure: These are the French terms for the plant, as found in historical Vietnamese-French dictionaries.

Synonyms

• Leonurus japonicus: The scientific/Latin name.
• Chinese motherwort: A common English name.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and almost exclusive meaning of "ích mẫu" in modern Vietnamese is the medicinal herb motherwort. It does not have other common metaphorical or idiomatic meanings. Its name, which can be loosely translated as "beneficial mother," hints at its historical use for women's health.

1. Motherwort (cây)