Lady"s Mantle - Uses and Side Effects
Lady's mantle is obtained from the root, stem, leaves, and flowers of the Alchemilla vulgaris plant.
The above-ground parts of Lady's mantle contain tannins, mainly ellagic acid glycosides (6% to 8%), and various flavonoids, such as quercetin.
Tannins impart a mild topical astringent that's useful in treating wounds.
It's also used to treat gastrointestinal ailments.
Lady's mantle is available as tea, tablets, tincture, ointment, and drops.
Reported uses Lady's mantle is used as a topical astringent for wounds, ulcers, eczema, and skin rashes.
The tea is useful in controlling mild diarrhea; it has been used also to reduce uterine bleeding, ease menstrual cramps, and regulate the menstrual cycle.
Administration Tablets: For acute diarrhea, 1 tablet is taken by mouth every 30 to 60 minutes; for chronic diarrhea, 1 tablet is taken by mouth one to three times a day Tea (steep 2 to 4 g of dried herb in 5 oZ of boiling water for 10 minutes): Tea is taken in three divided doses, between meals Tincture: For acute diarrhea, 5 drops of tincture are taken by mouth every 30 to 60 minutes; for chronic diarrhea, 5 drops are taken 1 to 3 times a day Topical: Apply ointment or fresh or dried roots to the area twice daily.
Hazards Lady's mantle may cause liver damage in some patients; thus, patients with liver dysfunction should avoid its use.
The herb should not be given to pregnant or breast-feeding patients because its safety has not been determined.
Clinical considerations Monitor patient's liver function as long-term use may lead to liver dysfunction.
Advise patient to seek medical attention before taking lady's mantle for diarrhea to avoid delay in diagnosing an illness.
Warn patient not to take lady's mantle longer than 4 days for control of diarrhea.
If diarrhea persists for longer than 3 to 4 days, patient should seek medial attention.
Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Safety Risk Don't confuse lady's 11% mantle with Alpine lady's mantle (A.
alpina), which is unapproved by the German Commission E owing to lack of documented safety and effectiveness.
Research summary The concepts behind the use of lady's mantle and the claims made regarding its effects haven't yet been validated scientifically.
The above-ground parts of Lady's mantle contain tannins, mainly ellagic acid glycosides (6% to 8%), and various flavonoids, such as quercetin.
Tannins impart a mild topical astringent that's useful in treating wounds.
It's also used to treat gastrointestinal ailments.
Lady's mantle is available as tea, tablets, tincture, ointment, and drops.
Reported uses Lady's mantle is used as a topical astringent for wounds, ulcers, eczema, and skin rashes.
The tea is useful in controlling mild diarrhea; it has been used also to reduce uterine bleeding, ease menstrual cramps, and regulate the menstrual cycle.
Administration Tablets: For acute diarrhea, 1 tablet is taken by mouth every 30 to 60 minutes; for chronic diarrhea, 1 tablet is taken by mouth one to three times a day Tea (steep 2 to 4 g of dried herb in 5 oZ of boiling water for 10 minutes): Tea is taken in three divided doses, between meals Tincture: For acute diarrhea, 5 drops of tincture are taken by mouth every 30 to 60 minutes; for chronic diarrhea, 5 drops are taken 1 to 3 times a day Topical: Apply ointment or fresh or dried roots to the area twice daily.
Hazards Lady's mantle may cause liver damage in some patients; thus, patients with liver dysfunction should avoid its use.
The herb should not be given to pregnant or breast-feeding patients because its safety has not been determined.
Clinical considerations Monitor patient's liver function as long-term use may lead to liver dysfunction.
Advise patient to seek medical attention before taking lady's mantle for diarrhea to avoid delay in diagnosing an illness.
Warn patient not to take lady's mantle longer than 4 days for control of diarrhea.
If diarrhea persists for longer than 3 to 4 days, patient should seek medial attention.
Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Safety Risk Don't confuse lady's 11% mantle with Alpine lady's mantle (A.
alpina), which is unapproved by the German Commission E owing to lack of documented safety and effectiveness.
Research summary The concepts behind the use of lady's mantle and the claims made regarding its effects haven't yet been validated scientifically.
