PDR for Herbal Medicines

456 /LADY'S BEDSTRAW PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

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(Drogen). Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Mathe-feet al., (1982) Planta Med 45:158.

Raynaud J. Mnajed H, (1972) C R Acad Sci Paris 274:1746.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the herb collected in

the flowering season and dried.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has inflorescences of small,

insignificant, yellow-green, many-flowered cymes. The peri-

anth is 4-leaved. The flower has 4 stamens, 1 ovary and an

inferior style. The fruit is enclosed in the calyx. The flowers

are infertile.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Alchemilla vulgaris is a hardy, half-

rosette shrub, which grows from 30 to 50 cm. It has a

branched stem, which is villous to glabrous. The basal leaves

are round, 7- to 9-lobed (dew cup); cauline leaves are short-

petioled to sessile, 5- to 7-lobed, crenate or serrate and

villous. Even the older leaves remain more or less folded.

Characteristics: Lady's Mantle is odorless and has an

astringent taste.

Habitat: The plant gfovfs in the Northern Hemisphere from

North America, Greenland and Europe to the Mediterranean

and Iceland; and Asia from the Caucasus and the Himalayas

to Siberia.

Production: Lady's Mantle herb consists of the fresh or dried

above-ground parts of Alchemilla vulgaris gathered at

flowering time, as well as its preparations. It is produced

mostly through cultivation.

Other Names: Bear's Foot, Leontopodium, Lion's Foot,

Nine Hooks, Stellaria

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Bitter principles

Flavonoids

Tannins

EFFECTS

Lady's Mantle herb has astringent properties, due to the

presence of tannins. It has also been shown to inhibit tumor

growth. In mice the total retardation of breast neoplasm-

induced tumors was achieved using agrimoniin and the

average life expectancy of the animals was increased. An

extract of the drug hinders the enzymes elastase, trypsin and

a-chymotrysin.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Diarrhea
  Unproven Uses: Lady's Mantle is used for mild and non-
  specific diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders.

In folk medicine the drug is used internally for menopausal

complaints, dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, and as

a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation. Externally, it is

used for ulcers, eczema, skin rashes and as an additive in

baths for the treatment of lower-abdominal ailments.

Homeopathic Uses: Alchemilla vulgaris is used for Ieucor-

rhea and for chronic diarrhea resulting from liver disease.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Lady's Mantle herb is administered

as a cut herb for infusions and decoctions, as well as other

galenic preparations for internal use.

Preparation: Tea: 2 to 4 gm drug to 150 ml hot water left to

draw for 10 minutes. .Prepare a fresh batch every day.

Daily Dosage: Lady's Mantle herb is administered in 2 to 4

gm single doses as an infusion; the average daily dose is 5 to

10 gm of herb. The tea is taken 3 times daily between meals.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10 globules, every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

Parenterally: 1 to 2 ml 3 times daily sc; Ointment: Apply 1 to

2 times daily (HAB1).

LITERATURE

Dome AJ et al., PH 25:65-68. 1986.

Filfpek J, The effect of Alchemilla xanthochlora on lipid

peroxidation and superoxide anion scavenging acticity. In: PA

47:717-718. 1992.

Geiger C, Rimpler H, PM 56:585-586. 1990.

Geiger C. Ellagitannine aus Alchemilla xanthochlora

ROTHMALER und Potentilla erecta (L.) RAEUSCHEL.

Beitrage zur Analytik und Strukturaufklarung. In: Dissertation

Universitat Freiburg. 1990.