Lady's Mantle


Alchemilla mollis

Latin: Alchemilla vulgaris / A. mollis

Also Known As: Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot, Nine Hooks, Leontopodium, Stellaria, Dewcup, A Woman's Best Friend, Nine Monks, Breakstone, Piercestone, Fair With Tears, Water Carrier, Water Chalice Flower, Ever-Dew, Mary's Mantle, Great Sanicle

Family: Rosaceae

Habitat and Description: The lovely Lady's Mantle is a truly delightful perennial, with large roughly kidney leaves that have lightly toothed edges and are covered in a very light downy hair. The plant has the delightful habit of collecting dew in the centre of her leaves first thing in the morning, a droplet of water that shimmers like a crystal out of a fairy tale and was believed by the alchemists of old to have great power – hence the latin name 'alchemilla', or little alchemist. This pretty plant is fairly low growing and easy going, as long as she has a reasonable amount of sun – and will reward you with many leaves, brilliant yellow green flowers and the tendency to self seed.

Lady's Mantle has masses of tiny pale green flowers in summer, and although some authors decry these flowers as being rather insignificant, if you look closely they are as lacy as filigree, and resemble a fine mist in large enough quantities, adding a charmingly fragile air to the herb garden. Personally, I love the whole plant, from the leaf and its dewdrops to the tiny greenish yellow flowers. The whole plant usually doesn't grow much taller than 1ft high, and dies back during the winter, sprouting new, gloriously blue green leaves in the spring.

Parts Used: Leaves and flowers, also occasionally the fresh root.

Constituents: Tannins (unsurprisingly!); tannic glycosides; bitters, salicylic acid; flavonoids; saponins

Planetary Influence: Venus

Associated Deities and Heroes: Generally sacred to Earth Goddesses. The Virgin Mary. Mother Goddesses.

Festival: Not known.

Constitution: moderate and dry – typically enough people just can't agree whether this herb is hot or cold in temperament. Personally I think its moderate.

Actions and Indications: Given the plant's common name, it should come as no great surprise to learn that the herb is predominantly used for many of the problems and imbalances associated with the female reproductive system. As a uterine tonic, it can be used to relieve painful periods and cramping, as well as to improve fertility in general, for which it is apparently particularly well suited to women over 35 who are trying to conceive, though I'd also be inclined to combine it with Raspberry leaf and give it to all women who want to conceive – ensure that the woman is not already pregnant first though, just in case! Sounds like a daft thing to say, but in the early stages of pregnancy, it pays to be safe rather than sorry.

Some give it to pregnant women who are bleeding a little and fear abortion, though only in small amounts as larger amounts can bring on labour. It can also be used to encourage contractions during labour, when labour is progressing too slowly. After labour it can be given to women who are bleeding excessively, in order to stop post partum haemorrhage. Because it is a uterine tonic, it will help the uterus to return to its normal size and healthy tone after pregnancy and birth. I'd also be inclined to give it to women who have undergone a miscarriage or abortion, to restore uterine tone. It can also be given to women who have fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, especially where this is causing heavy bleeding.

During the menopause, Lady's Mantle can reduce excessive bleeding and ease the accompanying sweating. It can be used to relieve hormone related anxiety causing PMS and menopausal anxiety.

Used topically and internally, the herb speeds the healing of wounds, and when applied as a lotion or wash it encourages the drying of a wound, bringing the edges together and encouraging healing. Add to a bath after childbirth to speed the healing of perineal tears.

Applied as an infused oil as well as drunk in tea form, the herb is reputed to restore tone and elasticity to breast tissue. It can be applied as a leaf compress soaked in a tea made from more of the leaves, for the same purpose.

Because the plant is astringent, it can be used for some cases of diarrhoea, especially when this is related to atony of the intestines. In addition to this, it can prove useful for those who struggle with nausea after eating fatty foods.

Due to the presence of flavonoids, Lady's Mantle can be used to improve heart health, especially where this is due to the muscles of the heart having lost tone.

Spiritual and Energetic Uses: Lady's Mantle is used to allow women to move away from the past, to climb out of ruts they may have settled into and become who they are really supposed to be. Like all the great alchemists of the past, it is a herb to use when you want to turn lead into gold – to learn from painful experiences, to take that frightening first step that requires so much courage. The herb brings courage to women, especially for matters associated with childbirth.

Lady's Mantle can also encourage creativity, allowing it to be channeled in a bright, shining manner instead of being a dark, driven energy. Use the herb to connect with your own feminine energy.

Magical Uses: Magically, the herb is said to improve the strength of any working it is added to or used as part of. The water collected from the plant's leaves in the morning has the same effect when added to potions and liquid mixtures.

Probably unsurprisingly, the herb can be added to love spells and sachets – both to attract and keep love, and also to improve self love. I'd probably also use it in spells and charms for fertility as well.

Folklore: The plant was originally associated with the Virgin Mary, hence the common name of the plant as the leaves are supposed to resemble a woman's mantle or cloak.

The Latin name apparently derives from the Arabic word 'alkemelych', meaning alchemy, which was given to the plant due to its many virtues. The alchemists used to add the dewdrops collected on the plant's leaves to their mixtures, as they believed that the water had strong magical powers.

Dose: 1tsp per cup of hot water, drunk three times a day or as required. No more than 15mls of the tincture as a single dose – I'd suggest this as only suitable when you need to stop heavy bleeding or diarrhoea. For a more tonic effect, use smaller quantities on a daily basis – most authors recommend between 2 and 4mls three times a day.

Contraindications: Some say not to use during pregnancy, others make no such caution and actually recommend it as a partus preparator before birth. Personally, I think it's best to be safe rather than sorry.