Last Updated on May 23, 2018 by Marc Seward
What is Lady’s Mantle?
Lady’s mantle, a perennial plant, has been aiding women with menstruation, menopause, and weight loss for quite some time. When consumed as a tea, this plant provides numerous benefits suited towards women. For centuries, women have consumed Lady’s mantle as a tea to prevent cramps and treat a sore throat.
Although this herbal remedy was mainly popular in Europe in the middle ages, today Lady’s Mantle seems to be getting some attention once again. Listed here, you will find the many health benefits associated with Lady’s Mantle tea as well as its other forms.
Known scientifically as Alchemilla Vulgaris, this herb belongs to the Rosaceae family and has a wide variety of health benefits. In Europe, it was traditionally used as a remedy for cough, flu, bleeding, inflammation, diarrhea, eczema, skin rashes, edema and menstruation problems. It has also been used as an herbal tea for high blood pressure and an infusion to treat diabetes. (1)
Lady’s Mantle Composition
According to research, liquid extracts of lady’s mantle contain certain flavonoid glycosides composed of gallic acid and quercetin derivatives. (2) (3)
A study published in 2012 investigated extracts of A, Vulgaris (lady’s mantle) to determine their phenolic composition. The researchers detected 24 different constituents including chlorogenic and gallic acids and various flavonoids including quercetin glycosides. (4)
The plant is also rich in salicylic acid, tannins, phytosterols and essential oils as well as vitamin C and various minerals.
Health Benefits of Lady’s Mantle
Known as a women’s herb, it is worth noting, however, that Lady’s Mantle has some health benefits suitable for both genders. From improving digestion to regulating unpredictable periods, Lady’s Mantle is an herbal remedy that should be on your radar.
Powerful Antioxidant
The powerful antioxidant activity of Lady’s Mantle keeps your looking and feeling healthy inside and out. Antioxidants fend off free radicals that cause cellular damage, helping to stave off signs of premature aging and disease.
Various studies into the composition of lady’s mantle have found that the herb contains powerful antioxidant constituents. (5) These antioxidant properties can help protect against oxidative stress responsible for various diseases including heart disease.
Menstruation
Quite possibly the hallmark benefit of Lady’s Mantle, this soothing herb helps to alleviate uncomfortable menstruation symptoms, such as cramps. Those suffering from heavy periods may find some relief by drinking Lady’s Mantle tea, as the tannins help to lighten the flow.
Women who have to deal with the frustration of irregular and unpredictable periods will be pleased to know that one of the key benefits of Lady’s Mantle is its ability to regulate menstruation.
If you suspect or know that you are pregnant, you should avoid drinking Lady’s Mantle tea as it promotes vaginal bleeding. This can get the ball rolling too early, encouraging a premature delivery or even trigger miscarriage.
Endometriosis and Fibroid Pain
The healing and soothing herbs found in Lady’s Mantle, such as salicylic acid help to alleviate pain associated with such conditions as endometriosis and fibroids.
One study done in 2015 looked at the effects of Alchemilla Mollis on endometriosis in rats. The rats were treated with an oral dose of liquid lady’s mantle extracts.
The researchers found that treatment with lady’s mantle significantly decreased cystic formation. They concluded that the aerial parts of the plant, in particular, could be useful for treating endometriosis. (6)
Next time you are experiencing pain with these conditions, try sipping on a soothing cup of Lady’s Mantle tea, which can be a wonderful addition to your pain management plan.
Weight Loss
Lady’s Mantle has been associated with weight loss for centuries, however, there are very few studies confirming the results or even the safety of using this herb as a weight loss aid. When combined with olive tree leaf, cumin, and horsemint, this herbal combination supposedly burns excess fat while suppressing appetite.
Due to the ambiguous nature of this weight loss aid, it’s advised that you speak to a physician before incorporating Lady’s Mantle into your weight loss routine.
Skin Care
Due to its antibacterial properties and salicylic acid content, Lady’s Mantle is great for treating various skin ailments.
Salicylic acid is commonly used to treat and prevent acne, a popular agent in commercial acne-fighting products. It also has astringent properties owing to its tannin content to keep your skin looking healthy and tight. When applied topically, it can also be used as a natural exfoliant.
Lady’s Mantle has also been known to help treat scrapes, cuts, burns, bug bites, and stings and may prove a useful sunscreen. Lady’s mantle helps to speed up the healing process as well as prevent infection. It has antimicrobial properties and has also been used to treat sores and ulcers.
Digestion
Drinking Lady’s Mantle tea may help to improve digestion and ease stomach cramps due mostly in part to its salicylic acid content. Consuming Lady’s Mantle tea may also help to prevent indigestion, bloating and diarrhea.
Liver Protection
A recent study published in 2017 demonstrated that water extracts taken from the root and aerial parts of the herb had liver protective activities on diabetic mice. The mice treated with lady’s finger did not exhibit any reduction in blood sugar levels but the researchers did find that the plant conferred significant hepatoprotective activities.
The researchers concluded that the antioxidant effects of the plant were responsible for its effects. Notably the phenolic content including flavonoids with powerful antioxidant effects. (7)
Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Actions
Laboratory tests have also found that lady’s mantle has excellent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. Another recent study published in 2017 found that alcohol and water extracts from the herb had significant inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines. The same study found that lady’s mantle extracts had significant antibacterial activity against various bacterial strains including Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. (8)
How to Use Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is available in several forms but is mainly consumed in the form of a tea decoction or tinctures.
To make lady’s mantle tea, follow these simple instructions:
- Add two teaspoons of dried lady’s mantle in a 2 cups of boiling water.
- Let the tea steep for at least ten minutes to extract its medicinal compounds.
- The recommended dose is 3 cups each day.
In tincture form, the recommended dose is between one and two ml to be taken three times each day.
Make sure that you purchase your products from a trusted source and be careful to read all the instructions on the labels.
Precautions and Side Effects
Before consuming Lady’s Mantle tea, please consider the following.
- Consult a physician before consuming Lady’s Mantle tea.
- Lady’s Mantle tea is not regulated by the FDA nor is there scientific evidence backing up the claims associated with Lady’s Mantle plant or tea.
- Lady’s Mantle is not recommended for the use of women who are pregnant or nursing.
- Some researchers are concerned that consuming Lady’s Mantle is associated with liver damage. Not enough research has been done to determine the safety or short-term and long-term effects of consuming Lady’s Mantle.
- Lady’s Mantle may aggravate bleeding disorders and people suffering from such conditions should avoid Lady’s Mantle, especially those suffering from blood clots, anemia, and high blood pressure.
- Those scheduled for surgery should avoid consuming Lady’s Mantle two weeks prior and two weeks following surgery.
- Those taking blood thinners and iron supplements should avoid Lady’s Mantle.
Closing Thoughts
Lady’s mantle is an herb with a long history of use for a variety of ailments including menstrual issues, digestive problems, bleeding and inflammation. recent studies have found that it contains powerful antioxidant effects as well as excellent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions.
As well as being used for internal health, lady’s mantle can be applied topically to treat a variety of skin conditions from eczema to treating, sores, ulcer, and minor wounds.
Have you ever used lady’s mantle? Please let us know why you used it and whether you found it effective.
(1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4329619/#ref3
(2) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/%28SICI%291099-1573%281998%2912%3A1%2B%3CS162%3A%3AAID-PTR284%3E3.0.CO%3B2-P
(3) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786419.2014.926352?src=recsys&journalCode=gnpl20
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23413745
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28502116
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25700659
(7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27978496
(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28502116
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