Common Names: Lion’s Foot, Bear’s Foot, Dew Cup, Water Carrier
Botanical Name: Alchemilla xanthoclora (a. vulgaris)
Plant Family: Rosaceae, Rose Family
Parts Used: Aerial Parts
Actions: Astringent, febrifuge, emmenogogue, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary (Systems affected: Uterus, Spleen, Kidneys)
Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia, but found cultivated in many gardens in North America and beyond. Lady’s Mantle likes wet feet and shade. It does wonderful in the Pacific Northwest, hence, you will find it being used by landscapers as a ground cover (it also suppresses weeds!).
Collection: Leaves and stems are harvested before the plant flowers (normally in Spring-Early Summer). Some herbalists prefer to harvest Lady’s Mantle when in flower from July to August. The roots can be harvested in the spring or fall. Most commonly, the leaves are dried for teas or used fresh in tinctures or witch hazels.
Lady's Mantle Medicine:
There are over 300 species of Alchemilla. Lady’s Mantle is popularly used in folk medicine throughout Europe.
“Women’s Problems”
Hormonal Imbalance: Combine with Chinese Angelica and Lemon Balm to help regulate female hormones. When I refer to hormones this can be a women experiencing irregular menstrual cycles or a women experiencing menopause. It can help ease and balance any changes in both situations.
Fertility: If you are trying to conceive or have issues with infertility, Lady’s Mantle can help with fertility, yet it must be taken on a daily basis. A fresh tincture in combination with a strong tea, taken daily for over 3 months will help infertility.
Heavy Menstruation: Icelandic Herbalist, Anna Rose claims taking a tonic with half Shepherd’s Purse and half Lady’s Mantle lessens bleeding, and reduces heavy menstruation. Taken daily, this combination can reduce excessive menstrual bleeding by 30% in just one month. Lady’s Mantle is an emmenogogue, hence it stimulates menstrual flow is there is any resistance. Yet it can also reduce and regulate the amount of blood during menstruation.
Avoid during pregnancy since it is a uterine stimulant!
Astringent
The fresh root is quite astringent and can be used as a powerful styptic to stop bleeding of a wound. Lady’s Mantle’s leaves are full of tannins leading it to be astringent as well. The astringency of this plant helps with bleeding gums, wounds, and diarrhea. A tea preparation with its leaves has proven beneficial as a gargle after the loss or removal of teeth. It can also help with mouth ulcers and sores.
Wash your face with the dew drops for everlasting youth!
Uterus Tonification Tea
1-part Lady’s Mantle
1-part Raspberry leaves
1-part Rose petals or buds
- Steep for 30 minutes in boiled water
- Sweeten with honey if desired.
Mouthwash/Gargle: use the infusion for sore throats, laryngitis, and mouth ulcers
References:
The Herbal Menopause Book by Amanda McQuade Crawford
The Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia by Kathi Keville
The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman
Icelandic Herbs; Lady’s Mantle with Anna Rosa