Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) (Alchemilla mollis)
I
grow mostly culinary herbs because of their usefulness in the
garden and the kitchen, but the longer I grow herbs the more
I venture towards plants that are useful in different ways.
Many herbs are suited more for crafts, herbal cosmetics and
other uses. Lady's Mantle is one of those interesting and historical
herbs!
Alchemilla has lime green leaves and dainty star shaped flowers, and has been in gardens since before the 16th century and I'm sure in the wild much before then. The entire plant is covered in very fine hairs that cause dew or soft rain to gather in it's leaves. This liquid was known as "celestial water" and used in alchemy. These tiny jeweled drops inspired poetry and magic over the years.
The herb became known as Our Lady's Mantle because the scalloped shape of the leaves, were thought to resemble the mantle (cloak) of the Virgin Mary. Later, politics intervened, and the "Our" was taken from the name.
Lady's Mantle can be invasive if left to seed. But the flowers can be dried and used in crafting, so always make sure you harvest those before they form seed. The leaves can be used in teas and infusions for cosmetic purposes. I hesitate to recommend it for medicinal and internal uses because there is a strict warning for pregnant and nursing women. However, cosmetically it's soothing to the skin and can be used as follows:
Lady's Mantle Hand Moisturizer
You'll
need:
2 Tbsp. finely ground oatmeal
1Tbsp. lady's mantle infusion* see note
1 tsp. avocado oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. glycerin
Mix all to form a smooth paste. Apply to your hands at bedtime. Leave on for about a 1/2 hour, wash off and moisturize as usual with lotion. Note- an infusion is simply a very strong tea made with boiling water-allow it to "brew" for 15-20 minutes.
Herbal Bath Vinegar
Mix lavender, lady's mantle leaves, rose petals with cider vinegar and allow to sit for 2-4 weeks. You can use this as a facial tonic or a bath additive.
Herbal Facial Steam
Add a couple handfuls of lady's mantle, mixed with burnet, violets, borage or lavender to several cups of boiling water and use it as a facial steam. Bring it to a boil and stir with a plastic or wooden spoon, then tent your head with a towel at least 18 inches above the pan or bowl. Gently dry your face with a soft towel afterwards and use a nice moisturizer.
About
the author:
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, wife and mom to three living
in the Midwest. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com,
where you will find articles on gardening, herbs, crafts and
other old fashioned topics.
Drying Lady's Mantle
Cut Lady's Mantle for drying late in the morning when the plants are no longer damp with dew, but before the heat of the day sets in. Choose the best looking sprigs you can find because drying will emphasize any imperfections.
Tie your sprigs in small bundles and hang them upside down to dry. Make sure to hang them in an area with good air circulation. The plants are completely dry when the stems snap when bent. This may take 3 to 4 weeks.
To strengthen sprigs dried for craft or decorative use, spray them clear lacquer, hair spray or clear craft spray once they are completely dry.
Starting Lady's Mantle from Seeds
You can start lady's mantle seeds indoors or outdoors in the garden. The most important thing to remember is that it can take up to a month for these seeds to germinate, so don't give up on them too soon.
Start seeds outdoors 2 weeks before your last spring frost, or in late summer or early fall to get a head start on next year's garden. When planting in late summer or fall, make sure you have at least 2 months before your first fall frost. Space the seeds about 2 inches apart, and thin to 12 inches apart when the seedlings are 2 inches tall.
When starting indoors, use individual peat or fiber pots. Plant the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before you last spring frost, and harden off the seedlings before transplanting to the garden.
Whether planting indoors or out, plant the seedlings about 1/8 inch deep. They will germinate best at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.
