What a name, what a plant, what a friend! I recall a few years back; I was cutting through a cul-de-sac to get to my local park. Well, it was a path, but it was inconveniently right through two people’s front yards. Inconvenient for them I presume. Who knows, maybe they enjoyed fellow earthlings tromping by their houses each and every day. On one such day I looked further to my right and saw that on the other side of the driveway of the adjacent home, there I saw a glorious patch of Lady’s Mantle. I knew it only in passing until that day. I have never purchased any products with Lady’s Mantle in it. I just knew it was beautiful and called to me with its delicate unassuming flowers and large showy dew capturing leaves. On future walks I would make a point to walk a little closer to this impressive section, overtaken by this delightful plant. I said hello to it, I whispered quick sweet quiet accolades.
Forward to now. Last year I set an intention to recreate that illustrious patch of Lady’s Mantle in my own growing space. I am delighted with the progress she has made over the last growing season and the beginning of this one. I still whisper to her and sing her praises extolling how much I cherish her in my mind palace, while in her presence. Soon I will be able to partner with her to create Alchemilla vulgaris tinctures or salves. I may even figure out how to create a botanical based mocktail with a few other jolly helpful herbal plants.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) has a long history of medicinal use in herbology. One of the earliest known references is found in the writings of a famous Swiss physician and botanist Paracelsus (1493–1541). Paracelsus and other herbalists of the time praised the plant for its healing properties, particularly for women’s health issues. How comforting it is to know that sometimes, in some places, people are intrigued by women’s health and are moved to right about it and study remedies to help with any issues that may be affecting the flow of life. It continued to be very useful and highly regarded in medieval times.
Much research still needs to happen by yours truly, however, here are a few things I have run across as the plentiful benefits of partnering with Lady’s Mantle. I hope that you find something that speaks to you and perhaps develop your own relationship with this beautiful plant spirit.
Here are some of its traditional applications:
- Menstrual Health:
- Menstrual Cramps: It is often used to relieve menstrual cramps and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
- PMS Symptoms: The herb can help alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as mood swings and bloating.
- Wound Healing:
- Astringent Properties: Lady’s Mantle has astringent properties, making it useful for treating minor wounds and cuts. It helps to stop bleeding and promote healing.
- Topical Application: It can be applied topically to reduce inflammation and promote the healing of skin irritations, such as rashes and eczema.
- Digestive Health:
- Diarrhea: The herb is used to treat mild cases of diarrhea due to its astringent effects.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: It can soothe gastrointestinal discomfort and support overall digestive health.
- Reproductive Health:
- Postpartum Recovery: Lady’s Mantle is sometimes recommended for postpartum recovery to tone the uterus and support healing after childbirth.
- Fertility Support: It is believed to help regulate menstrual cycles and support fertility in women.
- Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant:
- Inflammation Reduction: The herb has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Antioxidant Effects: It contains antioxidants that may protect cells from oxidative stress and support overall health.
- Skin Care:
- Acne Treatment: Due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used in skin care to treat acne and other skin conditions.
- Urinary Tract Health:
- Infections: It may help alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections and support urinary health.
While Lady’s Mantle has these traditional uses, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before using it for medicinal purposes, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions.
If you have had experience working with Lady’s Mantle, I would love to hear about the application usage and results. I enjoy learning with you!
If you would like to start your own patch, I found these seeds. This way you can see the zone recommendations on the label. https://amzn.to/3yLNgHe
Ministry of Making 