Was this plant given its name because its leaves are shaped like a cloak, or because it can ward off women’s illnesses in particular, and so protect them from harm? Perhaps both attributes have influenced the choice of this name. At any rate, let us look at this herb more closely. To do so we must leave the flat lowlands and climb up into the hills, not too high, though, for lady’s mantle grows at about 550-640 m (1,800-2,100 feet). Its true home, however, is the alpine meadows of Switzerland, where in close proximity we also find silvery lady’s mantle {Alchemilla alpina), a plant which looks a little more attractive but is less demanding as regards nutrient intake since it grows in poor stony soil. The less conspicuous common lady’s mantle {Alchemilla vulgaris) favours rich soil and it can be seen growing alongside the proud monkshood {Aconitum napellus) in hollow places where the earth contains the humus and nitrogen in which these two plants delight. You can also come across it near alpine dairies, where it proliferates together with the giant dock {Rumus alpinus). It grows very large in these places because of the rich soil.
The healing potential of lady’s mantle is of particular benefit to women and has also proved its worth in cases where the connective tissues lack sufficient strength, causing a tendency to hernia. It should be pointed out, however, that such constitutional problems require that an infusion made from the plant should be taken regularly for at least a year.
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