Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris

This beautiful plant with its circular, toothed, scallop-edged leaves and sparkling droplets of dew water can give us so much medicine.

Hieronymus Bock, a German botanist, was the first person to publish Alchemilla vulgaris in 1539.  Alchemists from the 13^th to 16^th century, thought that the dew of this plant had the magic to turn sickness into health and metals to gold. In early centuries women thought that the dew would keep them young or bring back their youthful bodies after childbirth, while also bringing back tightness to their breasts after breastfeeding. 

Lady’s Mantle is part of the rose family (Rosaceae) so it is astringent and it has an affinity on the reproductive organs, skin, venous circulation and the digestive system.  In the middle ages the astringency was used for wounds, by all skin and mucous membrane affections, acne, female reproductive system ailments and diarrhea.

Use the above ground (aerial) parts of the plant to make your tea or tincture, although due to its high tannin content and bitterness a tincture is easier to ingest than a tea.  The tannins in the plant can be used for drying up diarrhea, close wounds by knitting the wound together, tighten veins like spider or varicose veins, tighten the uterus to help cases such as prolapsed uterus, slow menstrual bleeding and to tighten overly relaxed tissues.

The salicylates in the plant help to modulate inflammation for better healing, and they are blood thinning to move stagnant blood.  The salicylates and tannins work well to help with stomach ulcers by closing the ulcer and modulating the inflammation.

The word mantle in the name can help to protect someone spiritually, like a cloak around them especially if they have had any trauma done to them around their reproductive organs.

Lady’s Mantle was dedicated to Frigg, the goddess of fertility.  Today we know that lady’s mantle gives its contribution to fertility by increasing the growth of progesterone and normalizing hormonal levels.  It regenerates the uterus and stimulates the microcirculation in the ovaries to facilitate good and regular ovulation.  Alchemilla  vulgaris’ hormone balancing effect can also help with acne, obesity, greasy skin and increased hairiness.

Its antifungal properties can be useful as a tea for a douche, to help fight fungal and bacterial vaginitis.  Its anti-viral properties can help against HPV.

Lady’s mantle works well in combination with other herbs specifically made for you.