Herb of the Week: Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Lady’s Mantle is a beloved herb steeped in history, healing and enchantment. With its softly scalloped leaves that gather sparkling morning dew, this plant has long captured the imagination of herbalists, mystics and healers alike.

🌿 Folklore & Magic of Lady's Mantle

Lady’s Mantle has been cherished in European folk tradition for centuries. The shimmering dew that collects on its leaves was believed to hold magical properties, alchemists once sought it as a key ingredient in their quest for transformation. In folklore, Lady’s Mantle was thought to be blessed by the Virgin Mary, hence its name.

In magickal practice, Lady’s Mantle is used for:

• Protection and grounding

• Enhancing feminine energy and empowerment

• Aiding in healing rituals, especially for emotional wounds

• Strengthening connection to the divine feminine and lunar energies

Carrying or working with Lady’s Mantle is said to invite resilience, grace and clarity.

Lady's Mantle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

While not a core TCM herb, Lady’s Mantle is sometimes integrated into modern TCM-inspired wellness practices. In TCM terms, it is considered:

• Cooling and slightly bitter in nature

• Supportive for balancing excess Heat and Dampness

• Helpful for women’s reproductive health and regulation of Qi

Practitioners may use it to support menstrual balance, digestive harmony, and overall vitality.

🌱 Medicinal Benefits of Lady’s Mantle

Lady’s Mantle has a long history in European folk medicine and is valued for its astringent and toning properties. Some of its potential benefits include:

• Women’s health: Traditionally used to ease menstrual discomfort, regulate cycles, and support postpartum healing.

• Digestive support: Its tannins may soothe mild diarrhea and aid in gut health.

• Wound care: Astringent properties make it useful in poultices for minor cuts or abrasions.

• Anti-inflammatory effects: May help ease mild inflammation when consumed as tea.

🥗 Nutritional Benefits of Lady’s Mantle

While not widely consumed as a food, Lady’s Mantle contains beneficial plant compounds, including:

• Tannins – providing natural astringency and antioxidant support

• Flavonoids – linked to anti-inflammatory and circulatory benefits

• Salicylic acid derivatives – mild pain-relieving qualities

These phytonutrients contribute to the herb’s traditional role in wellness support.

📖 Lesson: The Dew of Transformation

Lady’s Mantle teaches us the art of resilience and renewal. Just as it gathers and protects each precious drop of dew, we too can learn to hold space for transformation in our lives. Its leaves remind us that healing often comes in small, quiet ways, drop by drop, moment by moment.

⚠️ Disclaimer & Safety

Lady’s Mantle is generally considered safe in moderate amounts, but it may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Those with liver conditions, heavy menstrual bleeding, or who are pregnant/breastfeeding should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Always work with a certified practitioner before incorporating new herbs into your wellness routine.

✨ Want to dive deeper into the healing power of herbs? Explore more in our Herb of the Week series, featuring wisdom from the Healing Plants Oracle Deck, illustrated by pioneering herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell.