(Lady’s Mantle)

Scientific name: Alchemilla vulgaris

Common names: Lady’s Mantle, Leontopodium, Stellaria

Ayurvedic names: n/k

Chinese names: n/k

Bangladesh names: n/k

Arabic names:    نبات رجل الأسد (nabaat rajulu al assad)

Rain Forest names: n/k

Family: Rosacaea

Approximate number of species known: 300

Common parts used: Whole herb, sprouts

Collection: June/July

Annual/Perennial: Perennial

Height: 18 to 24 inches

Actions: 

The Lady’s Mantle has astringent and styptic properties, on account of the tannin it contains. It is ‘of a very drying and binding character’ as the old herbalists expressed it, and was formerly considered one of the best vulneraries or wound herbs

Known Constituents: Tannins, min 6% pyrogallol C6H6O3

Constituents Explained: n/k

Description: 

Leaves are sometimes grayish-green or brownish-green and generally look like a semi circle.  

Flowers are yellowish green or light green.

The name Alchemilla, comes from the Arabic ‘alkemelych’ or alchemist.

Traditional Use:

Renowned as a healing herb for women, it has been associated with the Virgin Mary from the Middle Ages to now (hence the name Lady’s not Ladies Mantle). Used in mystical potions, Its alchemical virtues are said to have stemmed from the dewdrops that lay within it’s leaves.

According to Swedish folklore if placed under the pillow at night, Lady’s Mantle would aid a restful nights sleep. 

Clinical Studies: 

Recurrent aphthous ulceration is the most common oral mucosal disease known. It presents as three types: minor (most prevalent), major and herpetiform. However, there are no well established effective and reliable treatments of this condition. 

Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) has traditionally been used in oral hygiene and was recently shown to accelerate wound healing when used in combination with glycerine. The objective of the study was to determine whether this combination is effective in the treatment of the most prevalent form of aphthous ulcers.

An open-label study was conducted in 48 otherwise healthy male and female patients aged 4-44 years to determine the putative healing properties and tolerability of a standard 3% extract of A. vulgaris in glycerine (Aphtarine) on common minor oral ulcers. Patients with major or herpetiform ulcers were excluded from the study.

Topical application three times daily of Aphtarine gel to minor mouth ulcers relieved discomfort and produced complete healing in the majority of patients (60.4%) within 2 days and in 75% within 3 days, compared with 10.4% and 33.3%, respectively, without treatment and 15% and 40%, respectively, with commonly available treatments. 

Most patients appreciated the product’s ease of application, taste and texture. Aphtarine was well tolerated locally and most patients rated the product good to excellent overall.

References:

Shrivastava R, John GW. “Treatment of Aphthous Stomatitis With Topical Alchemilla Vulgaris in Glycerine.” 2006. PubMed.gov. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17163290.