Alchemilla: the herb of alchemists

Alchemilla vulgaris belongs to the Rosaceae family.

 

Its common names are “Star Herb” for its light green flowers, arranged in two whorls of four sepals each, giving it a star-like appearance. Alternatively, it’s known as “Fan Herb” for its leaves with seven to eleven toothed lobes.

 

The term Alchemilla stems from alchemy, as medieval alchemists used the large dewdrops that collected on its leaves at night, referred to as “celestial water.”

 

In Italy, it’s often found in mountain meadows (Alps and Apennines), favoring moist mountain meadows, watercourses, and the humid environment of the undergrowth.

 

Alchemilla is a perennial herb with erect stems about 30-40 cm long. Its palmately lobed leaves, more or less glabrous, fold like a fan and retain water droplets after rain. The leaf resembles that of Mallow but is tougher, generally with more lobes, and a densely serrated margin; the hairs are simple, not star-shaped as in Mallow.

 

The flowers, lacking petals, are grouped in yellow-greenish corymbs. The four sepals are on the cup-shaped edge; outside are the four bracts of the calyx; the stamens are also four. The fruit is an achene.

 

Used part: the plant.

 

Main constituents: salicylic acid, phytosterol, palmitic acid, tannin, and saponins. Due to salicylic acid, it was often used internally for rheumatic conditions and headaches; tannin acted as an astringent.

 

Properties: astringent and antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, stomachic, tonic, diuretic, hemostatic, decongestant for organs (liver), has a selective action on the female body, sedative action, and cicatrizing (external use).

 

Indications:

 

Internal use – heavy menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea (H. Leclerc), facilitates childbirth, anemia, diabetes, enteritis, diarrhea, stomach spasms, bloating, liver congestion, headaches, nervous fatigue, some insomnia, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, obesity, muscle weakness in children.

 

External use – vulvar itching (H. Leclerc), sores (suppurating, varicose, gangrenous), leg ulcers, dental arthritis (gargles), sore throat, hoarseness.

 

Widely used in European folk medicine to alleviate female disorders such as irregularities in the menstrual cycle and menopausal symptoms.

 

Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper claimed it was “very suitable for inflamed wounds and to stop bleeding, vomiting, all kinds of discharges, bruises from falls and fractures,” and that it “quickly heals fresh wounds”.

 

Some practical examples: 

 

External use:

Soothing cream (vulvar itching H. Leclerc)

Fluid extract of alchemilla 2 grams

Rose hydrosol 18 grams

Lanolin 10 grams

Vaseline 30 grams

Apply locally

 

Decoction: 100 grams per 1 liter of water (cleaning wounds, vaginal irrigations). The same decoction can be used, through gargling, as a mouth and throat disinfectant.

 

Popular infusion for burns and scalds (L. Zambotti)

Alchemilla vulgaris herba 40 grams

Plantago lanceolata folia 20 grams

Calendula officinalis flores 20 ramsg

Sanicula europea herba 20 grams

 

Contraindications: Do not take for extended periods due to tannin content. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

 

Tannins are hydro-soluble phenolic substances concentrated in plant tissues, in Oak and Chestnut wood, in Persimmons, and in numerous herbaceous plants such as Agrimony, Alchemilla, Bistorta, and even in Blackberry. Tannins have been used for centuries in tanning leather because they cause the precipitation of proteins, easily putrefiable, therefore, preventing their decomposition in hides. In medicine, they are used as vasoconstrictors and antidotes to poisons and are important in fermentative processes and food production as bitters, astringents, antibacterial, and antiviral agents.

 

The astringency on the palate is precisely due to the ability to precipitate proteins (including enzymes) in saliva.

 

 

GIULIA CALDARELLI