Lady's Mantle

Latin name:Alchemilla vulgaris
Magic name(s):Bear's Foot
Synonyms:
Family:Rosaceae

Warning!
Do not use during pregnancy.

Description
Hardy perennial with green leaves which collect dew drops, and loose clusters of green-yellow flowers. Lady's mantle is native to most of Europe, northwest Asia, northeast USA and Greenland.

Main constituents
Key components are; tannins, salicylic acid, saponins, phytosterols, volatile oil, bitter principle. The high tannin content can cause skin irritation.

Uses
Medical
An infusion on the green parts eases itchy privates, reduces inflammation and accelerates convalescence after childbirth. It reduces bleeding from grazes and pulled teeth, it's tranquilizing, astringent, strengthening, antispasmodic and heals wounds.

Europeans, especially Swedes, find it useful to reduce heavy menstruation and prevent menstrual and even intestinal cramping. They also recommend it when a woman's body is adjusting hormone levels, such as after childbirth and during menopause.

Lady's mantle is perhaps the best astringent for reproductive bleeding of a known cause, such as heavy periods and fibroids, in which case it combines well with Shepherd's Purse. It is specific for improving poor uterine tone and relieving heavy bleeding, menopausal hot flashes, and vaginitis. It combines well in equal parts with Motherwort and Chasteberry for hot flashes.

It makes an astringent douche for vaginal infections and is usually combined with antiseptic herbs. The fresh root has been used at lest since medieval days to stop the bleeding of a cut and as an eyewash. The tea also controls diarrhea and is used as a mouthwash for sores and ulcers and as a gargle for laryngitis. It is also indicated for hardening of the arteries and external and internal bruising and wounds.

Magical
Lady's Mantle increases the working power of any type of magic. Because this herb is an aphrodisiac you can use it in any love potion.

Cosmetic


Culinary
Young leaves can be used in tossed salads.

Other
The above-ground parts of lady's mantle generate yellow colors in wool. It's also used for ground cover in gardens. The flowers are used for fresh or dried arrangements, the pressed leaves to decorate note paper or for bookmarks, and it's added to other herbs for sleep pillows.

Cultivation
Lady's Mantle is native to Britain and continental Europe . It prefers full sun to light shade. Lady's Mantle has a tendency to reseed so it may become aggressive. Space the seedlings 8-12 inches apart. It's a perennial and hardy in Zone 3. Water regularly but don't over-water. It requires consistently moist soil, so don't let it dry out between watering. It can be propagated by dividing the root ball or by seed. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors in the fall, or indoors in the spring. If you sow it indoors, stratify the seeds first.

Harvest
The leaves and flowering shoots for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Collect the pollen from the flowers, or the roots may be dried and powdered for magic. You may also collect the early morning dew from its leaves for use in any magical working.

Recipes
Medical
Strengthening evening tea
Toothache I
Soporific agents
'Monthly' teas

Magical


Cosmetic
Bath for softer skin
Strawberry bath
Bath for sensitive skin
Refreshing bath oil
Astringent face-lotion I
Herbs that are beneficial for the hands
Lotion

Culinary


Other
Dyeing

Miscellaneous information
The name Alchemilla comes from the Arabic word al-kimia. The dew that was captured in the hairs of the leaves was thought to have Magical properties, and ancient alchemists used it to assist in their search for the philosopher's stone, with which they wished to turn base metals into gold. They called the water droplets that bead up on the foliage, and look so attractive in the garden after a rain, "celestial water". The morning dew collected from its leaves is much prized in Magic and Alchemy.

The name "lady's mantle" probably also refers to the herb's use in treating many female health problems.

It's been called Bear's Foot in old recipes.

Its powers were so reputedly so potent that the Christian Church named it "Our Lady s Mantle" and became known as "a woman s best friend," used to help many female ailments. One German herbalist went so far as to claim that with prolonged use, one-third of the gynecological operations would not be necessary.

Despite its reputation as a female herb, Lady's Mantle was a popular wound herb on the battlefields of the 15th and 16th centuries, as stated by Nicholas Culpepper in 1653, among others.

An herbal from 1570 recommended two preparations. One was the powdered root mixed with red wine for internal and external wounds and an infusion of the aerial parts for greenstick fractures and broken bones in babies and young children.

An increased intake of phytosterols has been associated with decreased cholesterol and decreased risk of some cancers, most notably breast cancer.

Arabs claimed that regular use of Lady's Mantle would ensure fertility, and it's still sold in Middle Eastern markets for this purpose today.

The women of Switzerland use poultices of Lady's Mantle to firm and tone breast tissue.

It has been said that should man or animals take this herb on midsummer's eve they could become invisible.

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