Small, perennial and rustic, one cannot say without blushing that lady’s mantle has the finery of certain plants that are much more sensual and lush. What, however, characterizes Lady’s mantle is its ability to collect dew within its leaves . In reality, this water is not only made up of dew, it is also made up of vegetable water excreted by the plant itself: it is called “celestial water”. Because having all the characteristics of perfect purity , it is said that this water was used by some alchemists in their quest for the Philosopher’s Stone …
A little history
The infatuation of Paracelsus for lady’s mantle undoubtedly explains the considerable prestige with which this plant will have been haloed throughout the Renaissance. During the first decades of this prosperous period, the Spanish doctor Andrés Laguna de Segovia (1499-1559) indicated it in particular for very specific ailments; by reducing its root to the state of powder which was then diluted in red wine, we obtained there a good remedy against both internal and external wounds, which is not an unfortunate choice given the astringency of this tannin drug.
However, lady’s mantle is not a plant from the Moon for nothing … Indeed, there is a floral elixir of lady’s mantle intended for women who deny the maternal or nurturing aspect of their femininity. It helps in particular to overcome the feelings of loss or emptiness linked to the disorders caused by the gynecological sphere (especially in its reproductive axis). It also has an action on the heart chakra , which many experiences and other psycho-emotional experiences can derail in its smooth running, generating indifference and inability to love and / or to express love for fear of rejection and of failure.
This chakra is also affected by frequent romantic disappointments, straying friendships, lack of generosity, selfishness, withdrawal, feelings of loneliness, etc. On all this, the floral elixir of lady’s mantle can therefore have a marked impact, preferably in synergy with other floral essences such as those of jasmine, hawthorn, wood violet and another violet, the so-called aquatic one. , and which is nothing other than the Water violet of doctor Edward Bach .
What are the main pharmacological properties of the aerial parts of Lady’s Mantle?
Gynecological properties:
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Luteotropic action:
Lady’s mantle regulates the ovarian secretion of progesterone and facilitates luteal secretion and production, which makes it clinically effective in endometriosis and the management of premenstrual disorders through its progestogen-type activity, and its emmenagogue action: For therefore, it provokes, facilitates and regularizes the rules .
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Anti-endometriotic action:
In vitro , lady’s mantle reduces endometriotic lesions and associated inflammatory activity.
Anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and analgesic properties:
Antispasmodic and sedative , lady’s mantle is also antimutagenic (property attributed to its tannins).
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant , in vitro , lady’s mantle inhibits elastase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The aqueous extract also traps superoxide anions. It is also an inhibitor of collagenase. In 2018, however, a flavonoid, quercetin-3-O-β-glucoronide , was identified in Alchemilla vulgaris using a metabolomic technique based on nuclear magnetic resonance. This compound has not only been shown to exhibit higher anti-collagenase activity than other flavonoids, with the same aglycon fragment, but also to be superior to doxycycline (positive control), the only collagenase inhibitor approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
The anti-inflammatory properties of lady’s mantle are nevertheless due to the inhibition of the production of NO and of pro-inflammatory cytokines ( luteolin-7-O-glucoside ). This plant has also shown antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis .
Vascular properties:
Astringent, due to its richness in tannins, lady’s mantle in fact has a powerful haemostatic action , especially in the event of heavy or haemorrhagic periods, and therefore indirectly anti- anemic, as well as an anti-diarrheal activity .
Pelvic decongestant , angioprotective and antihypertensive , in vivo , lady’s mantle improves the protection of connective and elastic tissues. Due to its flavonoids, it improves blood circulation ( heavy legs ). It protects the structure and improves the function (especially the deformability) of the erythrocyte membranes during experimental hypertension .
The plant exerts a vasorelaxant and hypotensive activity , demonstrated ex vivo (endothelium of intact rat mesenteric arteries), greater and more favorable with the methanolic extract of A. vulgaris than with the aqueous extract, under conditions of ‘normal and experimental hypertension, which confirms its traditional use in cardiovascular disorders, in particular hypertension.
Anti-infectious properties:
Antifungal (anti Candida albicans properties ) and antimicrobial , the anti-infectious properties of lady’s mantle are in particular related to its richness in tannins.
Furthermore, the catechins of Alchemilla vulgaris have demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity on the vaccinia and ectromelia viruses in a dose-dependent manner.
Healing and vulnerary properties:
Lady’s mantle stimulates the multiplication of epithelial cells and aortic myofibroblasts in vitro . In vivo , it therefore promotes the healing of skin lesions . Locally, a topical glycerin topical comprising A.vulgaris has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of aphthous stomatitis. In vitro (fibroblasts) and in vivo (evaluation of the repair potential of the skin barrier), several types of gel based on Alchemilla vulgaris were tested in 2019, and have thus shown that they accelerate healing and that they perform a healing activity. The most pronounced effect on the migration of fibroblasts was notably obtained with the ethanolic extract.
Anti-hypothyroid property:
Lady’s mantle polyphenols significantly increase thyroid hormone synthesis as well as the growth of thyroid reserve follicles (or vesicles) in subjects exposed to cold.
Other properties:
- Emmenagogue
- Hemostatic and antihemorrhagic
- Protective hepato, antidiabetic
Are there any precautions for use with Lady’s Mantle?
- This plant is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women
- It is also contraindicated in cases of hormone-dependent cancers (progesterone-like)
- Lady’s mantle also presents a risk of “water retention” breast congestion, cyclic distal interstitial edema not encompassing the ankle, as well as a risk of worsening bleeding with filamentous periods.
How to take Alchemilla and in what dosage?
In its hormonal indications , lady’s mantle is usually used in the second part of the cycle, from the 15th day (D15, at the time of ovulation) until the 1st day of the following periods. In the event of significant symptoms or a short cycle, it is possible to start treatment from the 10th day of the cycle (D10).
Liquid form:
- Standardized fluid extract of fresh plant : 5 to 10 ml per day in a glass of water. Standardization of the extract is important for the efficiency and reproducibility of the results.
- Infusions : 10 g of fresh or dry plant in 1 liter of boiling water, 3 cups a day, consume hot or cold.
Local use:
- As a compress , against cellulite and prevention of stretch marks .
- Mouthwashes of fresh plant extract fluid in case of aphthous stomatitis and / or stomatitis.
- Sitz baths (in case of pelvic congestion), or in bath water (in case of heaviness in the legs) with an infusion of 50 g of lady’s mantle aerial parts in a liter of water or with 10 to 20 ml of standardized fresh plant fluid extract.
Alchemilla in masterly preparation of standardized extracts in liquid form (EPS)
Association with chaste tree :
In case of premenstrual syndrome with breast tension or congestion, breast pain (mastodynia) or fibro-cystic mastosis.
Association with sweet clover (1/3 for 2/3 lady’s mantle):
In the treatment of premenstrual syndrome with congestion of the small pelvis and heavy legs, to be used in the second part of the menstrual cycle (from D15 until the 1st day of the following periods).
Association with witch hazel (1/3 for 2/3 lady’s mantle):
For heavy or haemorrhagic periods, with iron deficiency, in high doses (10 ml 2 to 3 times a day).
Association with piloselle or orthosiphon (1/3 for 2/3 lady’s mantle ):
Against premenstrual syndrome with salt and water retention and weight gain, to be used in the 2nd part of the cycle.
Association with griffonia (1/3 for 2/3 lady’s mantle):
To fight against premenstrual syndrome with mood disorder and irritability, to be used in the 2nd part of the cycle.
Association with clary sage :
In amenorrhea, this synergy allows hormonal recovery after stopping oral contraception or fertility disorders of hormonal functional origin. To be used continuously, until the return of menstruation or until pregnancy. Lady’s mantle is also used in the 2nd part of the cycle (from D15 = 15th play after the 1st day of the previous rules) until the following rules, alternating with clary sage (from D0 to D14), to regularize the menstrual cycle in case of irregularity, especially with premenstrual syndrome.
Association with licorice :
To prevent premenstrual vaginal yeast infection , to be taken in the second part of the cycle.
Association with burdock :
For the treatment and prevention of acne outbreaks occurring in the premenstrual period, starting between D10 and D5; until the following rules.
Medical bibliographic sources and clinical trials :
- Jonadet M. et al., Flavonoids extracted from Ribes nigrum L. and Alchemilla vulgaris L.:1. In vitro onhibitory activities on elastase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. 2. Angioprotective activities compared in vivo, J Pharmacol., 1986
- Shrivastava R, Cucuat N, John GW. Effects of Alchemilla vulgaris and glycerine on epithelial and myofibroblast cell growth and cutaneous lesion healing in rats. Phytother Res. 2007
- Miroslav Ondrejovič, Zuzana Ondrigová, Janka Kubincová. Isolation of antioxidants from Alchemilla xanthochlora Nova Biotechnologica 9-3 (2009)
- Ozbek H, Acikara OB, Keskin I, Kirmizi NI, Ozbilgin S, Oz BE, Kurtul E, Ozrenk BC, Tekin M, Saltan G. Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antidiabetic activity of Alchemilla mollis. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017
- Şeker Karatoprak G, İlgün S, Koşar M. Phenolic Composition, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm. Chem Biodivers. 2017
- Plotnikov MB, Aliev OI, Andreeva VY, Vasil’ev AS, Kalinkina GI. Effect of Alchemilla vulgaris extract on the structure and function of erythrocyte membranes during experimental arterial hypertension. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2006
- Takır S, Altun IH, Sezgi B, Süzgeç-Selçuk S, Mat A, Uydeş-Doǧan BS. Vasorelaxant and blood pressure lowering effects of alchemilla vulgaris: A comparative study of methanol and aqueous extracts. Pharmacogn Mag. 2015
- Borodin IuI, Seliatitskaia VG, Obukhova LA, Pal’chikova NA, Odintsov SV, Kukushkina TA. Effect of polyphenol fraction from Alchemilla vulgaris on the morphofunctional state of the thyroid in rats exposed to cold. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1999
- Takir S. et al., Endotheliumdependent vasorelaxant effect of Alchemilla vulgaris methanol extract: a comparison with the aqueous extract in rat aorta, Nat Peod Res., 2014
- Mandrone M. et al., Identification of a collagenase-Inhibiting Flavonoid from Alchemilla vulgaris Using NMR-Based Metabolimics, Planta Med., 2018
