Lady's Mantle: Materia Medica
Société Apothecary
SUMMARY Reminiscent of the virgin’s cloak in medieval paintings, the leaves with scalloped edges are reputed to have given Lady’s Mantle its name. Like many herbs with ‘lady’ or ‘mother’ as part of their common name, it is a valuable gynaecological herb, specifically for heavy menstrual bleeding and vaginal itching. Highly astringent and rich in tannins, it was one of the most popular wound herbs on the battlefields of 15th & 16th centuries. Lady’s Mantle leaves are ‘waterproof’ – beads of dew/rain gather. MATERIA MEDICA Latin Binomial: Alchemilla vulgaris, Alchemilla mollis Common Name(s) : Lady’s Mantle, Lion's Foot. Bear's Foot. Nine Hooks. Leontopodium. Stellaria TCM Name : Nu Shi Di Yi Bo Family: Rosaceae Physical Description of the Plant: The rootstock is perennial black, stout and short - and from it rises the slender erect stem. The whole plant is clothed with soft hairs. The lower, radical leaves, large and handsome, 6 to 8 inches in diameter, are borne on slender stalks, 6 to 18 inches long and are somewhat kidney shaped in general outline, with their margins cut into seven or mostly nine broad, but shallow lobes, finely toothed at the edges, from which it has obtained one of its local names: 'Nine Hooks.' The upper leaves are similar and either stalkless, or on quite short foots talks and are all actually notched and toothed. A noticeable feature is the leaf like stipules, also toothed, which embrace the stem. The flowers, which are in bloom from June to August, are numerous and small, only about 1/8 inch in diameter, yellow-green in colour, in loose, divided clusters at the end of the freely-branching flower-stems, each on a short stalk, or pedicle. There are no petals, the calyx is four-cleft, with four conspicuous little bracteoles that have the appearance of outer and alternate segments of the calyx. There are four stamens, inserted on the mouth of the calyx, their filaments jointed. Habitat: Lady’s Mantle is native to Europe and northern Asia. It prefers of pasture, damp places and shady woods. Harvest and Collection: The leaves and stems are collected between mid-summer and late summer. Parts of the Plant Used: Leaves and flowering shoots (aerial parts). Qualities: Cool, dry, bitter & astringent to taste (Ody). Hot & dry in the 2nd degree Chemical Constituents: Flavonoids Ellagitannins (pedunculagin, agrimoniin, and alchemillin) Salicylic Acid Saponins Phytosterols Volatile oil Bitter Principles Taste: The leaves of the Lady's Mantle are edible, but not very tasty. You can use the young leaves in salads and much in the same way you would use spinach. As the leaves grow older they have an even more bitter taste. It is not common to use Lady's Mantle as a culinary herb. Flower Essence: Brings gentle joyful peace to your emotional heart and your whole body. Calms emotional shock to the heart, by inviting the Divine to encircle the heart and corresponding levels of the electromagnetic system. Encourages self-love and compassion for others. Actions: Uterine astringent Uterine tonic Nervine –anti-anxiety Astringent Anti-inflammatory Progestogenic Dry up & expel water from tissues Haemostatic Emmenagogue Vulnerary Febrifuge Indications: Menorrhagia esp adolescence & peri-menopause – reduce pain. Peri-menopause – reduce flushing and vaginal irritation DUB – reduce excessive flow while also toning. Prolapse Fertility promotion – improve uterine tone and cell membrane integrity Insomnia Diarrhoea – BHP specific for acute diarrhoea and epidemic diarrhoea of infants Rashes Anxiety Haemorrhoids Abdominal hernia After birth — tonic to tonify and strengthen tissue Wounds with discharge – drying, cleansing and strengthening to tissues – Strengthens the tissue integrity. Damage to nerves and tendons — eases pain, reduces inflammation & heals Topically – Leucorrhoea Contraindications/Cautions: Theoretical caution with anticoagulants – but no pro-thrombotic effects reported Tannins – may inhibit mineral supplement absorption Seek professional advice for any sudden or abnormal change in uterine bleeding AVOID USE IN PREGNANCY (except in the last few weeks): As this herb is a uterine stimulant Drug Interactions: None Dosage: 2-4ml TDS of a 1:2 25-30 per week Drop Dose: 20 – 40 drops t.d.s. Applications: Infusion: Use for gastroenteritis or diarrhea – take up to five times daily for acute Sx Tincture: Use for period pain, menstrual irregularities & menopausal problems Ointment: Used to relieve vaginal itching – combine 50 g ointment base with approx. 20ml rosewater and 15ml of infusion/tincture anduse morning & night Wash: Use infusion externally for eczema that weeps or weeping sores Mouthwash/Gargle: Use