Lady's Mantle as an Herb

(Alchemilla mollis)

Lady's mantle is a perennial herb found in North America, Europe, and Asia and is a member of the rose family. The plant is also called nine hooks at times; this is with reference to the leaves which usually have nine distinct lobes.

The plants name derived from the plants very shapely and pleated leaves that look like a lady's cloak in medieval times.

Lady's mantle contains compounds called tannins which endow it with an astringent action; these compounds aid the herbal solution in bringing a reduction in bleeding.

Medicinal Uses for Lady's Mantle

The most common use of lady's mantle in ancient days was the treatment of sudden infections of the mouth and throat. Cuts, scrapes, and burns were bathed in warm teas of lady's mantle to prevent infection.

Early herbalists believed the lady's mantle possessed such strong contractile powers that it was thought capable of "restoring" lost virginity to women and was believed to bring on a new firmness to flabby breasts in older women.

Lady's mantle tea has also been used to treat heavy menstruation, menstrual cramps, and symptoms of menopause. Lady's Mantle Tea may also help in the treatment of diarrhea and gastroenteritis. In Europe Lady's Mantle is still used to control excessive menstrual bleeding, and to help the uterus return to its natural size after childbirth.

Lady's mantle has also been used as a compress for treating puffy eyes.

Decoctions made from the lady's mantle can be used as vaginal douches or as a lotion - it can be mixed with rose water as well. These decoctions can help reduce vaginal discharges and to minimize irritation and infection in the vaginal cavity. The herbal lady's mantle decoction can also function as an excellent skin lotion for the treatment of rashes in diseases such as eczema.

The herbal decoction can also be used as a mouthwash and gargle in cases of bleeding gums, to treat mouth ulcers and to minimize the symptoms of sore throats in patients.

Some modern herbalists recommend lady's mantle as a treatment for diabetes as it may help prevent circulatory problems in diabetics.

Culinary

The most popular use for Lady's Mantle for consumption would be in salads. Wash then chop tender leaves, then add salads. These leaves may be added to herbs salads. The slightly bitter flavor of this herb gives an unexpected flavor to your everyday green salad.

Cautions

Tannins in this herb may lead to liver damage.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.