Caer's Eclectic Apothecary

Alchemilla sp.
Plant Family: Rosaceae

Synonyms

Alchemilla vulgaris

Overview

Lady's mantle is a perennial herb found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It has been referenced in many herbal and magical circles since the middle ages. Its first appearance in a botanical tome was in Jerome Bock's "History of Plants" in 1532. Its scientific name Alchemilla is a derivative of the Arab work Alkemelych, or alchemy, so called for the plant's magical potency. Folklore concerning Lady's Mantle seems to focus on the dew that is gathered on the leaves at the center of its furrowed leaves, which is said to be a key ingredient in several alchemical formulas. The dew was also said to be collected and used as a beauty lotion. Lady's Mantle was first associated with the worship of the Earth Mother, but as Christianity spread, and like many pagan symbols before it, it was absorbed and eventually became associated with the Virgin Mary. Although its leaves bear a striking resemblance to cilantro, lady's mantle is in the rose family.

Parts Used

The above-ground parts of the plant, dried.

Typical Preparations

Teas, extracts and seldom found encapsulated.

Health benefits of lady’s mantle:

Oral health: You should try rinsing your mouth using an extract of lady’s mantle. This home remedy will ease the blood flow and it facilitates healing.

After childbirth: In the past there was a myth associated with the lady’s mantle. It was believed that the lady’s mantle has the ability to restore the woman’s virginity. This myth has made its way into the modern times and the leaves of lady’s mantle are used even today on nursing mothers, particularly on their stomach and breast to reduce the visible signs of childbirth.

Vaginal infections: The lady’s mantle can be used to clean the vagina if a woman suffers from yeast infection, itchiness or white discharge. You can use the lady’s mantle as a douche or you can apply it on a tampon and insert it into the vagina without experiencing any ill effects.

Menstrual issues: The lady’s mantle has many health benefits for the female health – related issues. Women who are going through menopause should use lady’s mantle as their natural treatment but also women can use it for regulating the menstrual periods. Lady’s mantle has salicylic acid which is working as a painkiller and it can help to cope with painful periods.

Wound healing: There are some herbalists and alternative medicinal practitioners who are using the lady’s mantle for treating wounds because it has styptic properties. You can treat scrapes, burns and wounds at your home using the lady’s mantle.

Scalp health tonic: Lady’s mantle has antioxidants which can help your scalp to rid of the free radicals which can prevent your scalp and hair follicles from producing healthy cells.

Effective astringent: Lady’s mantle has tannin which is giving its astringent properties. You can use the lady’s mantle on your skin as a regular astringent. But there is no guarantee that it will work for you because there are not scientific evidences to back this claim.

Skin infections: This herb is great for treating bites, stings, skin rashes, eczema and skin infection. You can make a poultice of the lady’s mantle and then apply it on the affected part of your skin and let it work.

Anti – aging: The lady’s mantle has the ability to fight against the visible signs of aging just an arms length away. It has antioxidants which can help to rid of the free radicals and it can ensure that the skin’s elasticity is maintained for a long time.

Weight loss: It can help with the weight loss but there are few studies which are confirming the results of this property. When you are combining it with horsemint, cumin and olive tree leaf, then it can help to burn the excess fat while at the same time it will suppress the appetite.