Silver lady's mantle, cut aerial part – Alchemilla argentea

Native to alpine and subalpine regions, this perennial plant forms leafy mats covered with small silvery hairs. Used since the Middle Ages in feminine care preparations or as a general tonic, it is also included in certain local artisanal recipes.

Description

Dried aerial part, composed of serrated leaves with silvery highlights and discreet yellow flowers. The scent is herbaceous, sweet and slightly resinous. The texture is fine and slightly velvety.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Lady's mantle, Lady's mantle, lion's foot
• Latin name: Alchemilla argentea
• Family: Rosaceae
• Part used: Aerial part (leaves, stems, flowers)
• Form: Cut, dried
• Origin: Mountainous areas of Europe (Alps, Carpathians)
• English name: Silvery lady's mantle
• Name in German: Silber-Frauenmantel
• Name in Spanish: Manto plateado
• Name in Italian: Manto d'argento
• Name in Arabic: عباءة فضية (ʿAbāʾa Faḍḍiyya)

Main virtues

Lady's mantle is valued for its gentle tonic properties, particularly in traditional feminine infusions. It is also used in sitz baths or soothing lotions, and in natural body care products.

Main constituents

Tannins, flavonoids, salicylic acid, mucilages, phytosterols.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup, infuse for 8 to 10 minutes covered.
• External use: decoction for compresses or intimate baths.
• Cosmetic: added to skin-soothing masks or lotions.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Not recommended in cases of chronic constipation with prolonged use (rich in tannins).
• Do not use in pregnant women without medical advice.
• May interact with hormonal treatments, seek professional advice.

History and origin

Lady's mantle is one of the varieties of Our Lady's mantle used by traditional herbalists. It was once harvested in the morning dew, when its cup-shaped leaves retained water, a symbol of alchemical purity.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: in an opaque bag or closed jar, away from humidity.
• Packaging: bulk, kraft bag, airtight box.
• Appearance: Finely cut silver leaves, with discreet flowers.
• Odor: vegetal, sweet, slightly resinous.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Alpine Phytotherapy Corpus
• Traditional works of feminine herbalism
• Ethnobotany of European mountain plants

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