Limited evidenceWomen's health

Lady's Mantle

A tannin-rich herb long used for heavy periods, but its only human studies are topical ones for mouth ulcers and wounds. There is no clinical evidence at all for menstrual bleeding.

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What the science says

Heavy menstrual bleeding Limited evidence
No clinical trial has tested Alchemilla vulgaris for menorrhagia. The traditional rationale is its astringent tannin content, which has not been shown to affect menstrual blood loss in people.
Topical healing of mucosa and skin Limited evidence
A small clinical study of topical Alchemilla vulgaris in glycerine reported faster resolution of aphthous mouth ulcers, and a laboratory plus animal study found wound-healing activity for a gel formulation. Both concern topical use, not oral supplements.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied oral dose. Traditional use is 2-4 g of dried herb as an infusion two to three times daily; capsules typically supply 300-500 mg per serving as a label dose.

SafetyHigh tannin content can cause stomach upset and may reduce absorption of iron and other minerals if taken with meals. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding for lack of data. Liver caution has been suggested for long-term high-dose use.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.

With food?Between meals, since the tannins bind minerals in food.

Worth knowingTake it at least two hours away from an iron supplement, which is the interaction most likely to matter to the women using it.

Interactions

With other supplements

iron, zinc and calcium
Its tannins bind minerals in the gut and reduce absorption. separate by at least 2 hours

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does lady's mantle help heavy periods?

No clinical trial has tested lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) for heavy menstrual bleeding, so the evidence is limited. The traditional rationale is its astringent tannins, which have not been shown to reduce blood loss in people.

What is lady's mantle good for?

The only human evidence for lady's mantle is topical: a small study found it sped healing of mouth ulcers, and lab and animal work showed wound-healing activity for a gel. None of this supports oral lady's mantle supplements.

How much lady's mantle should I take?

Lady's mantle has no studied oral dose; traditional use is 2-4 g of dried herb as an infusion two to three times daily, and capsules typically supply 300-500 mg per serving. Take it between meals, since its tannins bind minerals in food.

Does lady's mantle interfere with iron?

Yes: the tannins in lady's mantle bind iron, zinc and calcium in the gut and reduce their absorption, so separate them by at least 2 hours. The tannins can also upset the stomach.

Scientific references

Treatment of Aphthous Stomatitis with topical Alchemilla vulgaris in glycerine
Shrivastava R, John GW — Clin Drug Investig, 2006
Towards a modern approach to traditional use: in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Alchemilla vulgaris L. gel wound healing potential
Tasić-Kostov M, Arsić I, Pavlović D, Stojanović S, Najman S, Naumović S — J Ethnopharmacol, 2019

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