Latin name: Alchemilla vulgaris .

Description :
The rootstock is perennialblack, stout and short - and from it rises the slender erect stem. The whole plant is clothed with soft hairs. The lower, radical leaves, large and handsome, 6 to 8 inches in diameter, are borne on slender stalks, 6 to 18 inches long and are somewhat kidneyshaped in general outline, with their margins cut into seven or mostly nine broad, but shallow lobes, finely toothed at the edges. Lady's mantle is a native of the mountains of America, Europe, and Asia. It likes damp places but also shady dry woods.

In the Medieval period it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The herb came to be known as lady's mantle because of the scalloped shape of its leaves, which were though to resemble the mantle of the Virgin Mary

The crystal dew lying in perfect pearl drops on the leaves have long inspired poets and alchemists and it was said to have healing and magical properties, even to preserve a woman's youth provided she collected the dew in May, alone, in full moonlight, naked, and with bare feet as a sign of purity and to ward off any lurking forces. Lady's Mantle was also considered a woman's protector, and nick named " a women's best friend", and used to reduce regulate the menstrual cycle, and to ease the effect of menopause. In the 18th century the leaves were applied to woman's breast to help them recover shape after they had been swollen with milk.

Lady's Mantle is a hardy perennial. It grows anywhere from 6 inches to 18 inches tall. It bears tiny greenish yellow flowers in the summer. It can be grown in semi-shade to full sun, but dose not really wet areas.

Rasing from seed can be hard, though it self seeds just fine. Sow seeds in the spring and divide established plants. If you don't want it to self seed cut off flower heads as they begin to die back in the summer. Again divide established plants if necessary and sow seed in the fall.

Cut young leaves after the dew has dried for use throughout the summer.

Lady's mantle is used for menstrual disorders. It has been said that if you drink an infusion of green parts of the plant for 10 days each month it will help relieve menopausal discomfort. It is also used as a mouth rinse after tooth extraction. This and other species of Alchemilla have been widely used in folk medicine throughout Europe. Lady's Mantle will help reduce pains associated with periods as well as ameliorating excessive bleeding. It also has a role to play in easing the changes of the menopause. As an emmenagogue it stimulates the proper menstrual flow if there is any resistance. However, in the often apparently paradoxical way of herbal remedies, Lady's Mantle is a useful uterine astringent, used in both menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. Its astringency provides a role in the treatment of diarrhea and as a mouthwash for sores and ulcers and as a gargle for laryngitis.
Leaves can be boiled for pale green wool dye and are used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of diarrhea.

Actions: antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, demulcent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hemostyptic, refrigerant, stomachic, tonic, uterine stimulant, vulnerary

Traditional use: acute diarrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, epidemic diarrhea of infants, excessive menstruation, gastroenteritis, inflammation, laryngitis, leukorrhea (douche), metrorrhagia, passive hemorrhage, pruritus vulvae (douche), wounds