Lady's Mantle

Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris
Alchemilla mollis
Alchemilla xanthochlora

“Among the spirits Quicksilver came first” (Chaucer, The Yeoman’s Tale)

The more I have researched Lady’s Mantle, the more I have come to the conclusion that the alchemical qualities associated with this herb are not just fancy and folklore.
There is a strange and telling conjoining of the Lady, (whether we call her Venus, Freya or Mary, she represents the universal Feminine principle), with the Lion, (whether as the Green Lion of the alchemists, or as the Lion of Judah who is Christ the Divine Bridegroom, representing the universal Masculine principle). To me, this more than hints at the mystery of the Alchemical Marriage. This interpretation might be reinforced when we consider David Dalton’s use of it as a flower essence—he says it is specifically used to balance the masculine and feminine energies in a person.
One other thought—the image of the leaf holding the dew drop seems like an obvious plant-teaching, waiting to be discovered; even though it wasn’t one of Dr. Bach’s original remedies, it clearly teaches the lesson of how to make a flower essence.
I believe this plant has a lot more to teach us.




Lady’s Mantle

Common Names: Lady’s Mantle, Lion’s-foot, Stellaria

Botanical Names: Alchemilla vulgaris, A. mollis, A. xanthochlora

Family: Rosaceae

Habitat: Cold wet slopes, rocky areas, stream banks. Native to Europe and Asia, but now widely cultivated. It is a northern plant.

Parts Used: Mostly the leaves, but some sources include the root (Grieve).

Collection Time: Pick early in summer before it flowers, while the leaves are still tender (Wood).

Pharmacology: Tannins and salicylic acid

Preparations:
· Infusion—one cup of boiling water to one tablespoon of the leaves. Steep 15 minutes
· Tincture in brandy—1-3 drops

Energetics: Bitter, astringent, cool (Tierra).
Bitter, cool, dry, astringent (Wood)

Tissue State: Relaxation

Organs: Uterus, spleen, kidneys

Actions: Astringent, febrifuge, tonic. It is a good post-partum remedy because it strengthens the abdominal tissues. Claims are made that it can raise sagging breasts. At one time the claim was made that it could restore virginity—a very alchemical ability indeed!

Historical And Folk Uses: In early herbals Lady’s Mantle was listed as a woundwort, because its astringent properties will stop excessive bleeding , including menstrual bleeding. In Germany it was associated with the goddess Freya (Wood). Later in the Middle Ages it came to be associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was called Our Lady’s Mantle,( which has been shortened to Lady’s Mantle) because the leaves supposedly resemble the flowing mantle of the Virgin Mary.
Its botanical name, Alchemilla, linking it with alchemy, might come from the fact that its water-proof leaves are able to hold a drop of dew much later in the day than most leaves. To the medieval mind this dew might look like the “divine dew” of the alchemists. It certainly resembles a drop of liquid mercury—one of the three main ingredients in an alchemical operation. This drop of divine precipitate is sometimes called the Green Lion. A funny coincidence is that Lady’s Mantle is called “Lions-foot.” Some writers say this name comes from the shape of the leaf, which does resemble a lion’s paw). Perhaps beneath the folklore there is a deeper meaning waiting to be discovered. I can’t claim to understand alchemy well enough to mine these depths, but maybe someday someone will.

Culpeper says “Venus claims this herb.” Venus is one of the names of the Lady, of course.

Flower Essence Use: David Dalton in his book, Stars of the Meadow, goes into some depth in discussing this essence. He claims that it balances the masculine and feminine aspects within an individual, (sounding very reminiscent of the Sacred Marriage). It also is protective of women.

Indications: Lack of appetite; rheumatism; diarrhea; stomach trouble; menstrual problems.

Cautions: None found.