Lady's mantle is a rather inconspicuous plant. But already in ancient times people knew about its hidden healing powers. Until now it is still valued as a natural remedy for numerous health problems. It also unfolds its beneficial effects as a tea. A handful of leaves is all it takes. This is how you harvest and dry lady's mantle growing in the wild or blooming in the garden.
Lady's mantle and its names
If the lady's mantle plant doesn't mean anything to you, it can still be a familiar friend. This is supported by the fact that it is extremely widespread. The only unknown might be the name lady's mantle. It is not known by this name everywhere. Do you know this medicinal herb by one of the following names?
- Goosefoot
- Alchemist herb
- Silver herb
- Tearful
- Goddess cloak
And those are not all known names yet! The lady's mantle has around 70 popular names. There is only one botanical name for the common lady's mantle: Alchemilla vulgaris.
Appearance and stature
The lady's mantle grows upright but low. Its leaves are kidney-shaped to rounded and lobed. Large and round water droplets form on it every day. The flower is yellow-green and has the shape of a panicle. It appears from June to July: a second bloom follows in September.
This is how lady's mantle works
The lady's mantle impresses with a whole range of good active ingredients. Here is an excerpt: bitter substances, tannins, glycosides, saponins and phytosterols. Depending on the application and symptoms, you can do the following
works:- antibacterial
- reassuring
- blood purifying
- stimulates blood circulation
- anti-inflammatory
- antispasmodic
- pain reliever
- digestive
The areas of application
The lady's mantle contains, among other things, a plant substance that is very similar to the hormone progesterone. This is the main reason why lady's mantle plays such an important role in gynecology. In particular, it helps with:
- Menstrual pain
- Menopausal symptoms
- Prepare for childbirth
But men also benefit from its active ingredients, because the silver herb alleviates numerous other ailments:
- stomach problems
- Colds
- headache
- insomnia
- Kidney weakness u. v. m
These are all good reasons to expand your own tea collection to include women's coat tea. Of course, lady's mantle can also be used in other dosage forms.
Where can you find the lady's mantle?
Lady's mantle often grows in your own garden. Those who do not have their own goosefoot yet, but are impressed by its healing powers, can plant a new plant in the garden at any time. Under optimal conditions, their growth takes off at a rapid pace. However, there are also wild-growing varieties whose exact location has yet to be discovered. You could find what you are looking for in the following places:
- can be found from the lowlands to the Alps
- at the edges of the forest
- on pastures and lush meadows
- in light bushes
- in other moist and nutrient-rich locations
Which parts of the plant are suitable for tea?
Leaves and roots of the plant are suitable for lady's mantle tea. Since picking the leaves is easy and does not cause much damage to the plant, it is important to pay attention to it
can be used. Fresh leaves are ideal for making tea. Whenever possible, they should be harvested just before brewing. If there are no fresh leaves available, it is nice to have a dry supply.Optimal harvest time
The harvest season extends to its prime. That is always from May to August. If the lady's mantle is easily accessible, it should initially only be freshly harvested for current needs. Sufficient leaves should only be picked in August and dried as tea for the cold season.
- Collect May to August
- a rain-free morning is ideal
- after two previous sunny days
- then the content of aromas and active ingredients is highest
Tip: Anyone who has used up their dried women's mantle tea can also harvest fresh leaves of the women's mantle occasionally in the spring.
This is how it is harvested
All that is needed for harvesting is a sharp knife to cleanly cut through the stems. And of course a basket or bag to collect the leaves in.
- wait for the dew to dry
- Pick leaves with stems
- Roots are dug up in autumn
Tip: Do you have the choice between a wild lady's mantle and a garden specimen? The decision is simple: the higher active ingredient content speaks in favor of the wild-growing plant.
Make your own dry tea
From September to April, and that is the longer period of time, the plant no longer provides any green supplies. That is why a larger amount of leaves must be harvested in good time and preserved by drying for the winter tea.
- only dry freshly picked leaves
- Do not wash the leaves to preserve the aroma
- Clean from dust by shaking it out
- only wash if absolutely necessary
- then pat dry with kitchen paper
- only dry whole and undamaged leaves
Air dry tea leaves
This method is quite simple and still delivers the highest content of active ingredients in the end result. If the focus is not on the good taste of the tea, but on its healing properties, this drying method is primarily recommended.
- Tie the leaves together in a bundle with twine
- Hang upside down to dry
- suitable place is warm, shady and sheltered from the wind
- do not expose to direct sunlight
- Drying rooms and attics are ideal
- Duration depends on the temperature
- Drying can take several days
Note: Caution should be exercised with attics, as these can become very hot in summer. The room temperature must not exceed 35 degrees Celsius so that the essential oils are not destroyed.
Lady's mantle dry in the oven
Some of the ingredients are lost in the oven. However, if no other drying option can be used, the oven is a good alternative. Especially when the healing ingredients are not the main reason for making tea.
- set the lowest number of degrees
- increase halfway through the time
- but not higher than 50 degrees Celsius
- Leave the oven door ajar
- Dry the leaves for about 3 hours
Dry in a food dehydrator
A good dehydrator dries the leaves gently and thus preserves a large part of the valuable ingredients. If you don't own a dehydrator, you can buy it cheaply in stores. It can also be used for many other herbs and fruits.
- follow the manufacturer's instructions for use
- Temperature up to max. Set to 50 degrees Celsius
Storage and shelf life
After drying, the whole leaves are shredded and stored in an airtight can or glass. A dark and cool storage location is ideal. Dry women’s mantle tea can be kept for at least one year. Since the fresh leaves can be harvested every year, this period is completely sufficient to be continuously supplied with women's mantle tea.
Prepare women's mantle tea
Some things that are supposed to heal come with an inedible taste. It is only consumed because it is supposed to help against the unbearable ailments. It is different with women’s mantle tea. Tea connoisseurs describe it as extremely aromatic. How to prepare a cup:
1. Cut or crush a handful of fresh leaves. The amount should fill 2-3 teaspoons. Alternatively, use about two grams of dried tea.
2. Put the crushed leaves in a tea filter.
3. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over it.
4. Let the tea steep for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Up to five cups of women's mantle tea spread throughout the day are allowed.
Tip: No lady's mantle plant found nearby? Didn't find time to collect? No problem, nobody has to do without its healing properties. In drugstores, pharmacies and well-stocked supermarkets you can get women's coat tea loose or as tea bags.
