Common Names : Lady's Mantle, Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot,
Nine Hooks, Stellaria

ELEMENT : Water

RULING PLANET : Venus

GENDER : Feminine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Love

DESCRIPTION : Lady's mantle is a low growing perennial 6-12 inches high.

The lower leaves are large, 6-18 inches long and are almost kidney shaped. Their margins are cut into seven or nine broad, shallow lobes. These lobes are finely toothed at the edges. The upper leaves are similar and either stalkless, or on short stalks. They are notched and toothed. The leaves have the appearance of having been pleated like the folds a lady's cloak, or mantle.

The entire plant is covered with soft hairs. The hairs on the leaves capture the rain in drops that shine like small jewels.

The flowers are numerous and small, only about 1/8 inch in diameter. They are yellow-green in color, and are in loose, divided clusters at the end of freely-branching flower stems. There are no petals, the calyx is cleft, with four bracteoles that have the appearance of outer and alternate segments of the calyx.

CULTIVATION : Most soils are adequate. Well drained moist, loamed soil is best. Sun or part shade.

PARTS OF THE PLANT USED : The leaves, stems, flowers, root of this plant are used.

COLLECTION : Leaves and stems are collected in the summer. Roots are collected in fall.

PLANT ANALYSIS : Constituents include tannin, bitter principle, traces of essential oil, salicylic acid.

MEDICINAL USES : Lady's Mantle has been used throughout history to reduce heavy menstrual flow, prevent miscarriage, and heal the body after childbirth.

It is said to aid conception if ingested in the a tea for twenty straight days. The leaves can be chopped and steeped in water for about 15 minutes then cooled and strained. Use as an astringent for acne and large pores.

Lady's Mantle eases both menstrual pains and excessive bleeding.

It aids in menopause.

As a general astringent it can be used internally for diarrhea and externally for cuts and wounds.

A strong decoction of the fresh root has been recommended as excellent to stop all bleeding. The dried root that has been reduced to powder is considered to work the same way, and is sayed to be good for violent purging.

Alchemilla taken internally for lack of appetite, rheumatism, stomach ailments, diarrhea, enteritis.

Externally Alchemilla is a good douche for leucorrhea.

MEDICINAL ACTION : Styptic and astringent because of the tannin it contains. Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, vulerary (used for wounds).

DOSAGE : In an infusion made with 4 teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup of water steeped for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day. For external applications, double the amount of herb.

MAGICKAL USE : Use Lady's Mantle in love spells and sachets.

HISTORY : The word "alchemilla" is derived from the Arabic word, Alkemelych meaning alchemy. The dew that was captured in the hairs of the leaves was thought to have magickal properties, and was used in many magickal potions.

Ancient physicians considered this herb a remarkable and restorative plant for most "women's complaints." Since the herb is so astringent, it can be used to control excessive and profuse menstrual flow and may also be used along with red raspberry tea for home birth. According to Kunzle, " Every woman in childbed ought to drink a good deal of this herb tea for eight to ten days before giving birth. Many children would still have their mothers, and many a stricken widower his wife, if they had known this..."

LORE : Alchemists collected the dew on the leaves of this plant believing the water had absorbed the magickal qualities of the herb. The water was then used in aphrodisiacs and other magickal operations. The Babylonians believed the numbers 7 and 9 were powerful, and they had great respect for the healing qualities of the 7 or 9 lobed leaves.

Lady's mantle promotes quiet sleep for ladies who place it under their pillows.

"The leaves are accounted good for lank sagging breasts, to bring them to a greater firmness and smaller compass." According to the Colonial Dames of America.

This plant had been associated with the Virgin Mary (hence the name Lady's not Ladies Mantle). The lobes of the leaves resemble the scalloped edges of a mantle.

The early herbalist John Gerard recommended the whole plant " to keep down women's paps or dugs (breasts), and when they get too great or flaggy, it makes them lesser or harder."