Lady's mantle was valued as a medicinal plant as early as the Middle Ages and especially by Hildegard von Bingen. It can be used against numerous complaints. But what should you pay attention to when harvesting?
When and how should you harvest lady's mantle?
Lady's Mantle should be harvested during its flowering period from May to August/September. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut off leaves, flowers and stems once the morning dew has dried. The roots can be dug up in spring or autumn.
Where can you find lady's mantle?
Lady's mantle is often planted in gardens such as cottage gardens and front gardens. In addition, you can find it in its wild form from the lowlands all the way up to the Alps. It likes to grow on the edges of forests, in open and lush pastures and meadows, in fields and in light bushes. Locations that are moist to wet and nutrient-rich are his favorite territory.
What can you harvest?
You can harvest all parts of the plant from the lady's mantle. The leaves are usually harvested for medicinal purposes. But the stems, flowers and roots can also be harvested and used later. It doesn't matter whether you harvest Alchemilla mollis (soft lady's mantle) or Alchemilla alpina (mountain lady's mantle).
When is the right harvest time?
Unlike most other herbs, lady's mantle is best harvested when it is in bloom. Flowering begins in May and lasts until August/September. Before you harvest the herb, check to see if the morning dew has dried off. The roots are dug up in spring or autumn.
How to harvest?
How to harvest:
- have sharp scissors or a knife ready
- Cut off leaves and flowers including stems
- collect in basket or bag
- for the impatient: in spring only cut off the top leaves
What can you do with the harvested leaves and flowers?
Lady's mantle is edible. When eaten pure, it tastes bitter and slightly sour, but pleasant compared to some other herbs. You can use the young leaves for salads and smoothies, for example. The flowers are often placed together in a vase.
Other uses include drying, preparing ointments and tinctures, making poultices and rinses. The most common is drying lady's mantle. Care should be taken to ensure that the leaves do not turn brown.
Tips & Tricks
If you have the choice, collect mountain lady's mantle or wild lady's mantle rather than lady's mantle from the garden. The wild form has a higher proportion of active ingredients and is therefore more effective.