Plant Extract - Female Phytotherapy

Lady's Mantle

The women's herb: Female cycle, PMS, endometriosis, and natural hormonal balance

Latin name

Alchemilla vulgaris L. (agg.)

Family

Rosaceae

History & Botany

Lady's mantle is a perennial herbaceous plant found in the damp meadows of temperate Europe and Asia, particularly abundant in the Alpine and Pyrenean mountain regions. Its Latin name, Alchemilla, comes from the Arabic alkemelyeh, referring to medieval alchemists who collected the dew drops that form in the cups of its lobed leaves, considered pure water with magical virtues. In the 12th century, Hildegard von Bingen recommended it for uterine inflammation and cycle regulation.

Since the Middle Ages, herbalists have given it the nickname "women's herb" due to its beneficial effects on the menstrual cycle, menstrual pain, and female hormonal disorders. Alpine folk medicine used it until the 20th century as a menstrual regulator, hemostatic, and healing agent. Modern phytochemistry identifies ellagic tannins and progesterone-like flavonoids as the main compounds responsible for its properties, validating a traditional use dating back several centuries. It is listed in the European Pharmacopoeia.

Morphology

Small perennial plant, 10 to 50 cm tall, with palmate leaves with 7-11 rounded and toothed lobes, finely velvety. The hydrophobic surface retains dew drops as small shiny beads, a immediately recognizable botanical feature. Tiny green-yellow flowers in loose cymes, without petals, from May to September. Vigorous rhizome and creeping stolons.

Part used & extraction

The flowering aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers), harvested from May to July, dried, and subjected to hydro-alcoholic extraction. The dry extract is standardized in total tannins (minimum 5 to 8%). Mainly harvested in Central and Eastern Europe (Romania, Poland, Hungary) and the French Alps.

Alchemilla vulgaris L.

Characteristic palmate leaves and green-yellow flowers

Active Principles & Biochemistry

Organoleptic Properties

Appearance

Dry plant

Leaves are dull green to gray-green, palmate, finely velvety. Tiny green-yellow flowers. Slightly downy texture to the touch.

Color

Dry extract / liquid

Powder is khaki green to brown-green. Liquid extract: amber-brown to green-brown, translucent, slightly darkening in air.

Odor

Dry plant & extract

Weakly aromatic. Fresh, herbal, and vegetal notes, slightly earthy. No strong odor, typical of tannin-rich plants.

Taste

Extract in solution

Clearly astringent (ellagic tannins), with herbal and slightly bitter notes. Characteristic sensation of tightening and dryness in the mouth.

Solubility

Dry extract

Fine powder, slightly hygroscopic. Good hydroalcoholic solubility. Partially soluble in cold water; hot infusion recommended.

Medicinal Properties & Use in Menstruating Women

Dysmenorrhea & Menstrual Cramps

Tannins and flavonoids inhibit the synthesis of PGE2 and PGF2α prostaglandins, direct mediators of uterine cramps. Reduce the intensity and duration of menstrual pain by acting on the inflammatory mechanism causing painful contractions, without the gastric side effects of NSAIDs.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Reduces all PMS symptoms: breast swelling, bloating, water retention, irritability, catamenial migraines, and premenstrual fatigue. The progesterone-like action of flavonoids corrects the estrogen/progesterone imbalance in the luteal phase underlying severe PMS.

Menorrhagia & Metrorrhagia

The powerful hemostatic action of ellagic tannins significantly reduces heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and intermenstrual bleeding (functional metrorrhagia). Tones the uterine mucosa and tightens endometrial vessels, limiting excessive blood loss.

Irregularities & Anovulatory Cycles

Regulates irregular cycles, spanomenorrhea, and functional amenorrhea related to stress or moderate hormonal imbalances. Supports the luteal phase and promotes regular ovulation by rebalancing the estrogen/progesterone ratio.

Endometriosis & Chronic Pelvic Pathologies

Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease: ectopic endometrial tissues proliferate under the influence of estrogens and maintain chronic pelvic inflammation through the production of prostaglandins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and free radicals. Lady's mantle acts at several levels of this cascade:

‣ Reducing estrogen dominance: The progesterone-like flavonoids and phytosterols in lady's mantle modulate estrogen receptors, counterbalancing the relative hyperestrogenism that promotes the proliferation of endometriotic lesions. By correcting this imbalance, they help slow the progression of lesions.

‣ Powerful pelvic anti-inflammatory: Ellagic tannins and ursolic acid inhibit NF-kB and COX-2, two central pathways of chronic pelvic inflammation. Reduce the local production of prostaglandins and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) that maintain chronic pelvic pain.

‣ Menstrual pain relief: Significantly reduces pre-, per-, and post-menstrual pain related to endometriosis, often among the most severe experienced by affected women (grade 3-4 dysmenorrhea). A natural complement to drug treatments, sometimes allowing a reduction in the use of NSAIDs.

‣ Uterine fibroids: The mild anti-estrogenic action of lady's mantle may help slow the growth of estrogen-dependent fibroids by reducing the hormonal stimulation responsible for their development. Results vary depending on the size and age of the fibroids.

‣ Functional ovarian cysts: By regulating the luteal phase and ovulation, lady's mantle can help prevent the formation of functional cysts linked to anovulatory cycles. It does not act on organic cysts (endometriomas) but supports the hormonal balance favorable to their prevention.