Alpine lady’s mantle is a herbaceous plant. The plant is said to have high medicinal benefits and is used to improve many diseases.
Occurrence and cultivation of alpine lady’s mantle.
This medicinal plant is known not only under the name of alpine lady’s mantle. Under the name of Alpine silver mantle or mountain woman’s mantle, it can also be found. The alpine silver mantle belongs to the rose family and ranks in the genus of lady’s mantle. The perennial herbaceous plant reaches a height of between five and 30 centimeters. The root forms several stems from the soil in spring, from which folded leaves are formed. Due to the eight to nine round and serrated pellicles on the leaves, they resemble small bear paws. On the underside the leaves are slightly silvery and in the morning dewdrops like to collect on the leaves. The edges of the leaves are toothed and from May onwards, small flowers form on some stems, shining mainly in yellow and forming umbels. The flowering period of the alpine lady’s mantle is from May to September. During this period, the flowers are also collected and then dried in the sun. This medicinal plant, which is found all over the world, prefers to grow in sparse forests and meadows. If the location is particularly favorable, the alpine lady’s mantle multiplies especially quickly and often forms ground carpets.
Effect and application
As the name alpine lady’s mantle suggests, the medicinal herb is preferably used for women’s complaints. But it is not only in gynecology that mountain lady’s mantle finds its use. There are many other areas in our body on which the lady’s mantle shows positive effects. Already since the Middle Ages and at the latest since Hildegard von Bingen, the healing power of the plant has been appreciated. This is mainly due to the plant hormones contained in lady’s mantle, which, according to their composition, strongly resemble the female hormone progesterone. If a woman suffers from premenstrual disorders or complaints during menopause, it is recommended to take alpine lady’s mantle. Due to its antispasmodic effect, alpine lady’s mantle is drunk in the form of teas during menstruation. Period cramps are thus relieved, and also during child birth alpine lady’s mantle decramps the uterus. After childbirth, mothers drink the lady’s mantle tea to promote milk production. It also has a soothing effect on respiratory ailments or coughs and colds. Lady’s mantle is rich in salicylic acid and tannins. The ingredients contribute to a rapid reduction of inflammation in the digestive tract and reproductive organs. Digestion is promoted by lady’s mantle and blood vessels become more elastic. Due to its calming effect, it relieves insomnia and headaches. Only the blooming flowers of the alpine lady’s mantle are collected. These are dried. If tea is made from the leaves, a teaspoon of the dried herb is poured over with boiling water. After brewing for ten minutes, the tea is strained and drunk. However, no more than five cups should be drunk per day. Alpine lady’s mantle can be taken not only in the form of tea. External application is also possible. In the case of skin complaints, those affected bathe in water mixed with lady’s mantle. Lady’s mantle can also be applied as a poultice to the affected skin area. The right method is chosen depending on the type of ailment. For example, in case of eczema, washing of the affected skin area is performed. For a bath with alpine lady’s mantle, about 250 grams of the herb is soaked in water overnight. After boiling, the decoction is mixed into the bath water.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
There is currently no confirmed effect of alpine lady’s mantle as a medicinal herb. The effect varies from person to person. However, its importance in folk medicine is very high, and in many teas, which mainly counteract women’s suffering, alpine lady’s mantle is an important ingredient. If the alpine lady’s mantle is taken as a tea, the amount of five cups per day should not be exceeded. Side effects are not known, but in isolated cases damage to the liver has been demonstrated. However, there is no risk of this type of damage if consumed properly. It is also possible to take it during pregnancy.If up to three cups per day are drunk regularly four weeks before the birth, it is said to facilitate the birth. The uterus is strengthened by drinking the tea. Many skin lotions and creams also contain alpine lady’s mantle, which contributes to a firming and healing effect. According to a study, alpine lady’s mantle fights free radicals in the body and is therefore drunk preventively, for example, to prevent the onset of cancer. Alpine lady’s mantle tea can be bought in pharmacies, drugstores and health food stores. When buying via the Internet, a careful selection of the supplier is necessary to obtain a corresponding quality of the dried herb. In the trade, 100 grams of lady’s mantle cost an average of 3.50 euros. A tincture of lady’s mantle is available in pharmacies for about seven euros. Discuss an application with your doctor or pharmacist and find out about the correct dosage before taking it.
