Lady's Mantle
(Alchemilla vulgaris agg., Rosaceae)
Also Called: Lion's Foot, Great sanicle.
Description:Perennial herb growing to 10-50cm (4-20in) high,
stems branched, glabrous or hairy, with few leaves.
The leaves, mainly radical, are rounded, often almost circular, and are about
3-8cm (1-3in) in diameter with 7-11 obtuse serrate lobes on slender stalks
of about 4 inches long.
Pleated (shell-like) until fully expanded, glabrous or hairy but not silky,
margin dentate.
The whole plant is covered with soft downy hairs.
Flowers 3-5mm (0.1-0.2in), greenish-yellow, not prominent, on a forked stem
which has small three-lobed leaves at the base of each fork.
Flowering: May-autumn.
Parts Used: Dried leaves; rarely also the dried flowering plant for domestic use.
Habitat and Collection: This herb grows in meadows and pastures,
open woodlands and rock-ledges in northern Europe and in mountainous areas
of central and southern Europe.
Almost throughout Britain but rare in south-east England.
Eleven British species within A. vulgaris are now recognised.
Collected preferably before mid-August and dried either in the shade or in
sunlight.
Constituents and Action: Active constituents incompletely
known; tannins present.
Is anti-inflammatory and antidiarroeal.
Externally as an application for all wounds, and for the after effects of
accidents.
It is excellent also for all blemishes of the skin.
The Arabian physycians have a very high opinion of the remedial virtues of
this common species and Hoffman and others have confirmed that it has the
power of restoring beauty and freshness to the faded complexion.
Culpeper said: 'It is also a good wound-herb both inwardly and outwardly,
by drinking a decoction or bathing and fomenting, for it dries up the humidity
of sores and heals inflammation. It draws the corruption from, and heals green
wounds; it cures all old sores'.
Also used in veterinary medicine for diarrhoea.
Its prolonged use relieves the discomforts of menopause and of painful and
excessive menstruation. This action is not confirmed.
Usage: An infusion should be made by pouring 1 pint of boiling
water on to 1 oz. of the herb and a wineglassful taken three times daily.
Any skin troubles may also be bathed with this liquid.
As a tisane (1 litre (1.75pt) of cold water on a handful of leaves,
boil for 2-3 minutes) for diarrhoea and for excessive menstruation (1-2 cups
daily for 10 days before commencement of menstruation and until completed);
also in menopause (from the age of 40 to be taken for 10 days each month).
CAUTION: Must not be used internally by pregnant or lactating women.
Other uses: The leaves can be used in teas and infusions for cosmetic purposes. We hesitate to recommend it for medicinal and internal uses because there is a strict warning for pregnant and nursing women. However, cosmetically it's soothing to the skin and can be used as follows:
Lady's Mantle Hand Moisturizer
2 Tbsp. finely ground oatmeal
1Tbsp. lady's mantle infusion* see note
1 tsp. avocado oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. glycerin
Mix all to form a smooth paste. Apply to your hands at bedtime. Leave on for about a 1/2 hour, wash off and moisturize as usual with lotion. Note- an infusion is simply a very strong tea made with boiling water-allow it to "brew" for 15-20 minutes.
Herbal Bath Vinegar
Mix lavender, lady's mantle leaves, rose petals with cider vinegar and allow to sit for 2-4 weeks. You can use this as a facial tonic or a bath additive.
Herbal Facial Steam
Add a couple handfuls of lady's mantle, mixed with burnet, violets, borage or lavender to several cups of boiling water and use it as a facial steam. Bring it to a boil and stir with a plastic or wooden spoon, then tent your head with a towel at least 18 inches above the pan or bowl. Gently dry your face with a soft towel afterwards and use a nice moisturizer.
Points of interest: Lady's Mantle is one of those interesting and historical herbs!
Alchemilla has lime green leaves and dainty star shaped flowers, and has been in gardens since before the 16th century and in the wild much before then. The entire plant is covered in very fine hairs that cause dew or soft rain to gather in it's leaves. This liquid was known as "celestial water" and used in alchemy. These tiny jeweled drops inspired poetry and magic over the years.
The herb became known as Our Lady's Mantle because the scalloped shape of the leaves, were thought to resemble the mantle (cloak) of the Virgin Mary. Later, politics intervened, and the "Our" was taken from the name.
Cultivation: Lady's Mantle can be planted from seeds or by purchasing plants. The seed will germinate in the garden, but will take up to 2 years to flower. The plants can be divided in the spring or fall and are hardy in Zones 4-8 and possibly Zone 3. It will grow from 6 inches for the alpine variety to about 12-18 inches on the others. Space about 12 inches between plants. Lady's Mantle needs a fertile soil and some moisture-more than the standard herbs. It can be in full sun in northern climates, but can tolerate some shade and in the warm climates prefers it.
Lady's Mantle can be invasive if left to seed. But the flowers can be dried and used in crafting, so always make sure you harvest those before they form seed.
Drying Lady's Mantle
Cut Lady's Mantle for drying late in the morning when the plants are no longer damp with dew, but before the heat of the day sets in. Choose the best looking sprigs you can find because drying will emphasize any imperfections.
Tie your sprigs in small bundles and hang them upside down to dry. Make sure to hang them in an area with good air circulation. The plants are completely dry when the stems snap when bent. This may take 3 to 4 weeks.
To strengthen sprigs dried for craft or decorative use, spray them clear lacquer, hair spray or clear craft spray once they are completely dry.
Starting Lady's Mantle from Seeds
You can start lady's mantle seeds indoors or outdoors in the garden. The most important thing to remember is that it can take up to a month for these seeds to germinate, so don't give up on them too soon.
Start seeds outdoors 2 weeks before your last spring frost, or in late summer or early fall to get a head start on next year's garden. When planting in late summer or fall, make sure you have at least 2 months before your first fall frost. Space the seeds about 2 inches apart, and thin to 12 inches apart when the seedlings are 2 inches tall.
When starting indoors, use individual peat or fibre pots. Plant the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before you last spring frost, and harden off the seedlings before transplanting to the garden.
Whether planting indoors or out, plant the seedlings about 1/8 inch deep. They will germinate best at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.
