There has been some confusion over the correct botanical identity of the medicinal herb Lady's Mantle. At times it has been ascribed to Achillea mollis, a commonly grown ground cover in gardens. More commonly, especially in older herb books, it has been ascribed to Alchemilla vulgaris L. More recently, it was proposed that the true Alchemilla vulgaris L. was an aggregate of five species, which are usually treated individually. Of these, Alchemilla xanthochlora Rothm., is seen as the genuine medicinal Lady's Mantle[].
All this has been further compounded by the proposal (in 2012)) that all species of Alchemilla should be transferred to the genus Potentilla, in which case this species will become Potentilla xanthochlora (Rothm.) Christenh. & Väre[].

Common Name: Lady's Mantle

General Information

Alchemilla xanthochlora is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a mat of leafy growth from a spreading, woody rootstock and erect to ascending flowering stems 15 - 50cm tall[].
Lady's mantle is a popular herbal remedy, often gathered from the wild and traded. The plant is also sometimes eaten and is sometimes grown as a ground cover.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and east to Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Habitat

Moist meadows, open woods, pastures and also on rock ledges in mountainous areas[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Apomictic
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in ordinary soil in sun or part shade[, ]. Prefers a well-drained neutral or basic soil[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade[].].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. A dry, somewhat astringent flavour[]. They can be mixed with the leaves of Polygonum bistorta and Polygonum persicaria then used in making a bitter herb pudding called 'Easter ledger' which is eaten during Lent[, ].

Root - cooked. An astringent taste[].

The leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea[].

Medicinal

Lady's mantle has a long history of herbal use, mainly as an external treatment for cuts and wounds, and internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and a number of women's ailments, especially menstrual problems[, ].
The herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[, , , , , ]. The plant is rich in tannin and so is an effective astringent and styptic, commonly used both internally and externally in the treatment of wounds[]. It helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy[, ]. Prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation[]. The freshly pressed juice is used to help heal skin troubles such as acne and a weak decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of conjunctivitis[].
The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use[].
The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A useful ground cover plant, though somewhat slow to spread[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we find it best to pot them up and keep them in a sheltered position until they are growing away well.