Alchemilla vulgaris, herb, cut, controlled organic cultivation/wild collection.

Folk names: Lady's mantle, Lady's help, Alchemist's herb, Lady's cure, Lady's hat, Lady's haircoat, Lady's skirt, Lady's dewlap.

Indication

For mild diarrhoea, astringent, digestive and slightly constipating, in folk medicine for menstrual cramps, heavy menstruation and menopausal symptoms.

Use

 Pour 1/4 l of boiling water (optimal 80°C) over 2 teaspoons of the lady's mantle herb and let it steep for 20 minutes, covered. Up to 3 cups daily over a period of 6-8 weeks. You will find further application possibilities below.

Medicinal herb description

History:

As a medicinal plant, lady's mantle, as the name suggests, has mainly been used in gynaecology, but it can also provide helpful services in other areas. There is hardly an area of the body on which lady's mantle cannot have a beneficial effect. At least that is what folk medicine believes and uses it for menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual bleeding and menopausal symptoms. The name Alchemilla is said to go back to the fact that in the Middle Ages the dew that collects in the calyx-like leaves was used by alchemists for experiments. In antiquity, lady's mantle was little known. It was not until the Middle Ages that lady's mantle appeared in medicinal herb books and Hildegard von Bingen also recommended it.

Occurrence:

All of Europe, North America, temperate zones of Asia. This medicinal plant prefers damp meadows and pastures, slopes, roadsides, stream margins and is widespread up into the high mountains. If a site is favourable for lady's mantle, it often forms entire carpets, elsewhere it also occurs singly.

Plant family:

Rose family = Rosaceae

Colloquial names:

Ladys mantle (engl. ), alchemist's herb, all-women's remedy, Dächlichrut, Echter Sinau, Frauenbiß, Frauenhäubel, Frauenhilf, Frauenmäntli, Frauenrock, Haubn, Hasenmänteli, Herbstmantel, Herrgottsmäntelchen, Himmlisches Wasser, Kroanfüss, Liebfrauenmantel, Löwenfuß, Löwenfußkraut, Marienkraut, Marienmantel, Mäntli, Milkweed, Mother of God's Cloak, Nine-lobed Cloak, Ohm's Cloak, Pearlwort, Raindrops, Ragwort, Silverwort, Sinau, Sinnau, Sintau, Sundew, Dewberry, Dewleaf, Dewcatcher, Dewhaltauf, Dewwort, Taumantel, Tauschschlüsselchen, Tauschüsserl, Trauermantel, Weiberkittel, Wiesen- Marienmantel, Wiesensinau.

Botanical description:

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla xantochlora) is a 10- 50 cm small, delicate medicinal plant with yellowish-green flowers that form umbellate panicles. The leaves sprout in spring from the perennial rhizome on long stems, are folded at first and later spread out over the entire surface, looking like umbrellas bent over by the wind. The margins of the 7-9 fan-shaped leaves are toothed. The fine serrations of the palmate leaf bear water beads, which are not left behind by dew, but are caused by the sweating of the medicinal plant. The scent of the flowers is honey-like.

Applied plant part:

The flowering herb, also with root.

Active substance/gathering time:

Flowering time: May to October

Gathering time: In the morning in dry weather between September and October.

One should only pick the dry herb of lady's mantle.

Ingredients:

Ellagitannin-type tannins and flavonoids. Tannins, bitter substances, phytosterols, glycosides, saponins, tannins.

Medicinal properties:

Astringent (astringent), sedative, blood forming, blood purifying, haemostatic, mildly diuretic (diuretic), prolactant (promoting breast milk), digestive and mildly constipating, mildly spasmolytic (antispasmodic), tonic.

Traditionally, the main field of application of lady's mantle is gynaecology. This is probably due to its plant hormones (so-called phytohormones), which are similar to female progesterone. As a result, lady's mantle can compensate for deficiencies that lead to premenstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms. The microcirculation is stimulated locally and the internal female genital organs are better supplied with blood. In addition, lady's mantle has a decongestant effect, which is also beneficial for the uterus.

Use and dosage:

For mild diarrhoea, hormonal imbalance, menstrual cramps, period pains, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), hormonal fluctuations, climacteric disorders (menopausal symptoms), puerperal symptoms, white flow,

Also for conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation, wounds, ulcers, eczema, suppuration, purulent wounds, boils.

Drunk as a tea, these medicinal herbs alleviate almost all kinds of specific women's complaints. Women's mantle can also be helpful during and after childbirth. When the baby is born, lady's mantle tea promotes milk production. As a sitz bath, lady's mantle tea can help against white flow. For women who, after many years of hormonal contraception (e.g.: anti-baby pill), stop taking it to conceive, a lady's mantle therapy is recommended. This plant can not only help with women's complaints, but also with many other health problems. Frequently mentioned are remedies such as gastrointestinal catarrh, diarrhoea and insomnia.

Lady's mantle tea also alleviates complaints of the respiratory organs, such as coughs, colds and sniffles. Lady's mantle also promotes and gently balances digestion. A weak heart is strengthened and the blood vessels become more elastic. The effect on the nervous system can relieve headaches and insomnia.

Applied externally, lady's mantle tea as a bath, poultice or wash helps with many skin complaints. Baths can be used for ulcers, for eczema: Washes and for melting purulent boils: poultices.

Average daily dose: 5- 10g of drug; preparations accordingly.

Crushed medicinal herb for infusions and decoctions and other galenical preparations for ingestion.

Special indications:

Diarrhoea lasting longer than 2 days or accompanied by blood or fever requires treatment by a doctor! Diarrhoea in infants or young children always requires immediate medical treatment!