Alchemilla, Lady’s Mantle
Our Lady’s Mantle, Dew-cup
Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485
Alchemilla vulgaris, Lady’s Mantle
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
A. pubescens
A. minor (syn. A. fissa)
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
A. alpina
Botanical name:
Alchemilla vulgaris
A number of varieties were used including Lesser and Alpine
Parts used:
Herb (fresh is best); sometimes the root
Temperature & Taste:
Temperate (slightly Cool), dry; slightly Bitter
Uses:
1. Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-‘thicken the Blood’; good for excess menstruation, Uterine Bleeding;
-internal Bleeding, especially of the Stomach
-internal and external Wounds (Lonicerus)
2. Benefits the Uterus, Moves the Blood, Regulates Menstruation:
-Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Cramps
-PMS, Menopause, Hysteria
-Benefits Fertility; Prevents Miscarriage; prepares for Birth. Regarded as a Female Tonic
-taken after Birth to stop Bleeding and firm and reduce the Uterus
-it was also used for Blood Stasis
3. Astringes, Stops Leakage:
-Diarrhea (esp. infantile), Dysentery;
-Nightsweats
-also Prolapses and Hernia
-used to firm Sagging Breasts ‘causing them to grow less and hard’ both applied topically and taken internally
4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-difficult and painful Urine; Urethritis or Cystitis
5. Externally:
-Topically to stop sagging Breasts;
-in Douches for Prolapse of the Uterus and Leukorrhea
-Topically for Wounds, Bruises, Fractures, Sores
-Ulcers, including suppurative and gangrenous types
-‘The Ointment of it is not only good for green Wounds, but also for Ulcers and Fistulas, especially such as abound with moisture’ (Culpeper)
-distilled water can be used for red, swelling and pain of the eyes
Dose:
Brief Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Tincture (1:5): 2–4 mls.
1 teaspoonful per cup as an infusion
Fresh herb is crushed for topical use, or a strong decoction can be used as a wash.
Substitutes:
1. ‘Strongly resembles Sanicle in all its faculties, and applies to all the conditions in which Sanicle is used’ (Salmon, and Dosoens 1554).
2. White Dead Nettle may also be used in its place.
Main Combinations:
1. To Regulate Menstruation, Lady’s Mantle with Tansy, Dead Nettle, Avens (Geum urbanum). (Kroeber)
2. Menopause:
i. combine Lady’s Mantle with St. Johns wort, Balm and Sage
ii. Lady’s Mantle with Blessed Thistle, Agrimony and Cinnamon (Wonders in Weeds)
iii. Lady’s Mantle, St. John’s Wort, Lemon Balm, Hawthorn leaf, Sage, Birch leaf, Dandelion
3. Leukorrhea:
i. Lady’s Mantle with White Dead Nettle, White Clover
ii. Lady’s Mantle, Dead Nettle, Horsetail, Knotgrass, Gentian (Meyer)
4. Prevent Miscarriage, combine Lady’s Mantle with Yarrow (Treben)
5. Postpartum tonic, Lady’s Mantle, St. John’s wort, Yarrow
6. Congealed and Stagnant Blood, Lady’s Mantle, Fennel root, Sage, Parsley, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Hyssop, Elecampane, decocted in water (Dorsten, 1540)
7. Gastroenteritis, combine Lady’s Mantle with Agrimony, Camomile
8. Hernia:
i. combine Lady’s Mantle with Comfrey
ii. Lady’s Mantle, Fennel, Aniseed
iii. in Children, apply linen cloth soaked in decoction of Lentils to the place while taken Lady’s Mantle powder internally. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
9. Night-sweats, combine Lady’s Mantle with Sage
10. Shingles: combine Lady’s Mantle with Camomile, Oak bark and Sage; use topically
11. Wounds, Ladies Mantle and Sanicle.
12. Burns, Lady’s Mantle, Plantain, Sanicle, Calendula, topically as a compress or salve.
Major Formulas
Infusion for Menopause
Infusion for Menopause (2)
Universal Vulnerary Decoction (Joseph Du Chesne)
Cautions:
1. Use cautiously during Pregnancy (some have warned against using during pregnancy)
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the whole plant, Essence
1. DISTILLED WATER of LADY’S MANTLE.
Helps Conception; aids women when Pregnant; it helps Retain the Birth.
2. ESSENCE of LADY’S MANTLE.
‘ Taken 30 days together causes fruitfulness in Women’.
Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine
-From early times, Alchemilla was seen as having a signature of Fertility. The flowers of this plant come into seed, supposedly without being fertilised, as the male part dies before the female flower matures, this being seen as a kind of immaculate or ‘virgin’ conception. Scientists now call this process parthenogenesis, and it is no longer considered miraculous.
-The name Alchemilla came from the plants supposed mystical qualities, and is derived from the Arabic Alkemelych for Alchemy. Dew-drops gathered from the leaves has been used in many mystical formulas, and a distilled liquor from the plant was used by some to try and turn base metals into Gold. Some Renaissance alchemists claimed to extract an Elixir of Youth from the plant, and it was also used to transform old women into beautiful young women once more. The Dew-drops were actually said to be the juice of the the plant which is expressed through its leaves.
-The Dew drops were also added to beverages as Love Potions.
-Swiss dairy farmers hold Lady’s Mantle in high repute, as when given to their Cows it increases milk output considerably.
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