Materia Medica - Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla monticolla/vulgaris : 
​Lady's Mantle

It is always my desire to be certain that clients have their questions answered when they have them. I also feel passionate that individuals ought to have access to information about the herbs they may use. Often times information on the internet is not fully reliable, this is due to opinion and articles written by herbalists who may 

not fully grasp the herb they are commenting on. Though I feel most individuals post information with good intent, it is perhaps best to find information from clinical herbalists or published authors who have had a relationship with the herbs for years.
In saying this, here is a bit of information about one of my favorite garden herbs. Lady's mantle is often used in modern times as a beautiful decorative plant, but its past lies in wound healing and female issues.
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I hope you enjoy!
- Petra

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Parts of this article have been previously published in Home Herbalist Magazine

Often seen as a common decorative plant in gardens in North America and Europe, Lady’s Mantle has a rich and ancient history as a healing herb. It has been used in ancient Arabic culture as a traditional treatment in fertility and has been used in modern times to help balance female sex hormones and to normalize periods while also proving helpful in issues with menopause.
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The leaves on this common garden plant are filled with tiny hairs that hold and trap morning dew in much larger droplets, allowing it to pool in the middle. It is said that these infused morning droplets boast much of the plants healing properties and in ancient times, this water was gathered for a myriad of female health issues.

History:

• The common name, Lady’s Mantle (in its German form Frauenmantle), was first bestowed on it by the 16th century botanist, Jerome Bock, also  known by the Latinized version of his name: Tragus.
• In the Middle Ages, this plant has been associated, like so many flowers, with the Virgin Mary (hence it is Lady’s Mantle, and not Ladies Mantle), the lobes of the leaves being said to resemble the scalloped edges of a mantle.
• In medieval Latin, we also find it called Leontopodium (lion’s foot), probably from its spreading leaves, thus, in french it has become Pied-de-lion.
• The generic name Alchemilla is derived from the Arabic word, Alkemelych (alchemy), and was bestowed on it, according to some old writers, because of the wonder-working powers of the plant. Others held that the alchemical virtues lay in the subtle influence the foliage imparted to the dewdrops that lay in its leaves and the little cup formed at the center of the plant. These dew drops were often gathered for may mystic “potions”. As we know in modern times, water can be infused with plant constituents in sunlight (as flower essence or sun heated infusion) and so this is likely the science behind the “mystic potions”.
• Lady’s Mantle was once considered one of the best vulneraries or wound herbs, indeed even Culpepper speaks of it:
• “ Lady’s mantle  is very proper for inflamed wounds and to stay bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts, bruises by falls and ruptures. It is one of the most singular wound herbs and therefore highly prized and praised, used in all wounds inward and outward, to drink a decoction thereof and wash the wounds therewith, or dip tents therein and put them into the wounds which wonderfully drieth up all humidity of the sores and abateth all inflammations thereof.  It quickly health green wounds, not suffering any corruption to remain behind and cureth old sores, though fistulous and hollow.”

Family:  Rosaceae
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Common Names: Lady’s Mantle, Lion’s Foot, Bear’s Foot, Nine Hooks, Leontopodium, Stellaria

Parts Used: Aerial parts (Dried; harvested May-Aug). Leaves, flowering shoots. Also, roots (topical use).

Actions:
Tonic, Astringent (especially the uterus), Anti-inflammatory, Anti-pyretic, Alterative, Anti-hemorrhagic, Hemostatic, Bitter, Digestive Tonic, Menstrual Regulator, Emmenagogue, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Phyto-estrogenic (meaning plant based estrogen - this statement is inconclusive), Progesteronic ( meaning contains or helps the body to balance progesterone levels - this statement is inconclusive), Sedative, Angioprotective (protective of the heart or cardiovascular system), Drying and Binding (wound herb).

Chemical Constituents:
Tannins:

• Consisting mainly of ellagitannins, including agrimoniin and laevigatiin               

Phytosterols                     
Salicylic acid (traces)                      
Flavonoids:

• Glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol

What are its uses?

​Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:

• As a mouth rinse after teeth extractions (gentle rinse, do not swish after tooth extractions).
• Mouth sores (rinse)
• Mouth ulcers (rinse)
• Laryngitis (gargle)
• Conjunctivitis (eye wash) – with caution and as a cooled infusion
• Headache from congested blood which becomes worse before periods
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​Integumentary System (Skin):

• Bleeding or weeping eczema (topical)
• Sores (topical)
• Wounds (topical)
• Cuts (topical)
• Passive bleeding (topical – root or leaf)
• Bruises (topical)
• Pruritis (severe itching of the skin - topical)

 
Mental Health:

• For sound and untroubled sleep – traditional European remedy
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
  
  

Nervous System:

• For convulsions in children.

 
Digestive System:

• For acute diarrhea (including infants).
• Loss of appetite
• Peptic Ulcers
• Gastric/Duodenal Ulcers
• Gastroenteritis
• Dysentery
• Internal bleedings
• Colitis with bleeding
• Vomiting
• General inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
• Hemorrhoids/prolapsed anus/anal fissures (enema – with caution and with combination of other herbs)
• Nausea
• Indigestion
  
  

Urinary/Renal System:

• General inflammation of the urinary tract

 
Cardiovascular System:

• Strengthening of the heart muscle (inconclusive)
  
  

Reproductive System:

• Hormonal balancer
• Irregular menses (stimulates proper timing and flow)
• Metrorrhagia (abnormal bleeding from the uterus)
• Menorrhagia (periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding)
• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
• Menstrual Cramps – helps reduce pains associated with menstrual periods and ameliorates excessive bleeding.
• Fibroids (abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus)
• Endometriosis (a painful disorder in which tissues that normally line the uterus grows outside the uterus)
• Menopause (helps to ease associated symptoms)
• Leucorrhea (douche)
• Vaginal discharge (douche)
• Candida/Yeast(topical wash or douche)
• Inflammations (topical wash or douche)
• Vulva/external vaginal itchiness (cream)
• Increased Fertility (Traditional middle eastern)
• Breast firming (Culpepper and Swiss traditional herbal)
• Uterine astringent – possibly helpful in prolapsed uterus
• Toning the pelvic floor
• Vaginitis
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Musculoskeletal System:

• Rheumatism

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​Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses/Bacteria:

• Alchemilla has long been used to drive water from tissues that are damp and weak. It is said to strengthen fibers and bring them back together into a more healthy and toned state.
• In its traditional use of pulling tissues together, it has been used in repairing torn eardrums, hernia, muscles, and so forth.

​Safety Concerns and Contraindications:
Not to be used in pregnancy, has been used to aid labor.

• No adverse effects expected
• No drug interactions reported

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Herbal Pharmacy

The below information is meant as educational and informative only, do not self dose, please see an appropriate practitioner to discuss current issues and any medications you may be taking.

Combinations:

• With Trillium for menorrhagia.
• With Vitex for menstrual disorders.

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​Applications:
Infusion:

• 1 to 2 tsp per cup; infuse 15 min - tid

Dried Herb:

• 2 to 4 g. tid           

Tincture:

• 1:1 @ 25% 2 to 4ml tid
• 1:5 (dried) @ 25% 5ml tid
• 1:2 (fresh) @ 40% 5ml tid
• 1:5 @ 25% 2 to 4ml tid

Poultice/Ointment:

• 15ml tincture (1:1 or 1:2 with alcohol reduction), 20ml rosewater, 50g base cream or ointment – for vaginal itchiness.

Powder:

• Powdered Root: 2 to 4 g.

Mouthwash/Gargle:

• Use as a strong infusion (tea) and rinse/gargle as needed.

Douche:

• 2oz to 2-pint hot water; infuse 30 minutes and allow to cool. Strain and use as directed by an appropriate practitioner.
• Use strong infusion, strained of herb, three times daily or as needed.

Vaginal Suppositories:

• 20gtt tincture (1:1 or 1:2 - with alcohol reduction) to 20g cocoa butter molded into suppositories. Ea. Suppository is generally 5g – enough for roughly 4 suppositories.

Skin Wash:

• Strong infusion (tea), 8 teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water, infuse 15 min and let cool.

​Misc:

• The infusion is best for GIT issues, and tincture for menstrual issues.

The above information is copyright to Petra Sovcov - Clinical Herbal Therapist - 2019
Reproduction or distribution of any of the above information in full or part is prohibited without written consent from the author.

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References:

• Medicinal Herbs Quick Reference Guide by Julieta Criollo DNM, CHT – Self Published – Page 112
• Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar – Fireside Publishing New York 1993 – Page 245
• A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve – Merchant Book Company Ltd 1973 – Page 462-463
• Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG – Healing Arts Press Rochester, Vermont 2003 - Page 525
• Herbs for Health and Healing A Drug-Free Guide to Prevention and Cure by Kathi Keville – Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus Pennsylvania 1996 – Page 163
• Potter’s Herbal Cyclopaedia by Elizabeth M. Willamson BSc., PhD, MRPharmS., FLS-Saffron Walten the C.W. Daniel Company Limited 1998 - Page 255
• Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West by Michael Moore – Museum of New Mexico Press Santa Fe 1993 – Page 291
• The Earthwise Herbal A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Mathew Wood – North Atlantic Books Berkeley, California 2008 – 65-69
• Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram -  Constable and Robinson Ltd. 1998 – Page 262
• The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants by Frantisek Stary – Tiger Books International 1998 – Page 42