Image by Sterlic
By Nina, Modern Alternative Pregnancy editor
Lady’s Mantle is an herb that’s useful for women in all stages of life, as its benefits aren’t limited to a certain season.
Like red raspberry leaf, Lady’s Mantle is an astringent herb that works well on hollow organs like the uterus. Rather than toning the uterus, though, Lady’s Mantle works to draw out excess fluid and soothe inflammation. For that reason, this herb is well-suited for consumption after childbirth, during your menstrual cycle and during the delightful time of menopause.
Lady’s Mantle also works to stop excess bleeding, making this an ideal herb to begin taking as labor draws near, to help prevent hemorrhage. But do make sure not to take it until after reaching full-term pregnancy. I suggest adding a cup of lady’s mantle and red raspberry leaf tea to your diet starting at 38 weeks. Because it can cause uterine contractions, you’ll want to avoid drinking it until then.
Lady’s Mantle’s effects aren’t isolated to the uterus. It works well for mild cases of diarrhea to draw out excess fluid and soothe inflamed intestinal walls (combine it with red raspberry leaf for added relief). An herbal infusion can also be used as a gargle to soothe sore throats.
This herb’s effects aren’t limited to external uses. Soaking sores and wounds in a Lady’s Mantle infusion will provide relief for inflammation and speed healing time. Lady’s Mantle is an especially good herb to add to a post-partum sitz bath for those tender tissues.
How to use Lady’s Mantle
Use Lady’s Mantle by making a concentrated infusion to soak irritated tissues in. Or, make a tea with some red raspberry leaf and lemon balm for those last few weeks of pregnancy or during your monthly cycle.
Make a Lady’s Mantle infusion
Take a handful of Lady’s Mantle and put it into a quart-size glass jar. Fill the jar almost to the top with boiling water. Put the lid on and store it in a cool place. Careful, it’ll be hot! I never seem to remember that … When the infusion is completely cool, strain the herbs out and put them in your composting or chicken food bucket. Put the liquid in a clean glass jar (don’t forget to label it) and stick it in the fridge. There you go, easy as pie and you can use this method for any dried herb.
Happy Uterus Tea
I created this simple tea to alleviate menstrual cramps. You can also use this tea at the very end of pregnancy to prepare your uterus for labor and prevent hemorrhage. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/2 c Lady’s Mantle
- 1/2 c Red Raspberry Leaf
- 1/4 c Lemon Balm (you can add more to taste)
Put these in a pint-size Mason jar with a lid and shake until they’re mixed up well. To make this tea, you’ll need the afore-mentioned herbs and something to steep them in. Like a brewing basket.
Steep a tablespoon of herbs in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes. I begin drinking the tea about a week before I’m expecting my period. If you have problems with heavy cramping, try drinking a cup (warm or iced) every day of the month.
Nina, thanks for the post – many women know about red raspberry leaf but not everyone knows about lady’s mantle. The healing properties of lady’s mantle are amazing. I am a big fan of herbal remedies for pregnancy and postpartum – I actually created a loose leaf tea with lady’s mantle for use in the first 2-6 weeks after delivery. I blended it with some fruit so the tea tastes soooo good. You should definitely check it out!
[…] for centuries to heal damaged tissues. We ran a post a while back that offers a closer look at the benefits of this herb for all stages of […]
Hi Nina can you use fresh lady’s mantle for the tea? I always find basil tea also helps with miserable periods sx
Great ideas! I’m still nursing my 17 month old. Can I use ladies mantle safely?
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I have been healing slowly with prolapsed organs post pardum (5 months now) and I was wondering if this tea can help by using it internally to help tone and tighten the uterus walls?
Also do you know if this is safe while breastfeeding? Or do you suggest any good websites that could speak to this?
Any advise would be so appreciated.
Rachel
Hi Nina,
thank you for your article about Ladie’ s Mantle. I had long time problem with heavy periods and a terrible pain. I went to a lot of doctors. I was taking strong medication always when I got periods and nothing was really helping me, I was just completely drugged. Just once I bought womens tea from Dr. Max Ltd which included: yarrow, agrimony, thyme, lemon balm, ladie’ s mantle and hypericum and I did not need painkillers any more. I think one which does wanders is ladie’ s mantle. I am so happy I found it out now I do not need to take any painkillers any more. I drink this tea 3 x a day. I will also try to use raspberry leaf and I heard to use shephards purse is good too. My friend also took Ladie’ s Mantle after she terribly miscarried and it helped her so much to regular her hormones and it helped her to recover.
Regards
Alena
[…] /2013/04/01/ladys-mantle-an-herb-for-all-stages-of-life-happy-u… […]
Hi, I drank a cup of tea of Ladys Mantle a few hours ago. I’m in week 16 in my pregnancy. Sholud I be worried??? What can I do?
/Julia