Herbs Guide

Bear's Foot

Family Name: Rosaceae

Botanical Name(s): Alchemilla vulgaris

Popular Name(s): Lady's Mantle, Lions Foot, Common Lady's Mantle, Common Alchemil

Parts Used: Herb and its root

Habitat: Bear's foot is widely found in Europe.

Description: Bear's foot is an herbaceous perennial which possesses slender erect stem. The whole plant is covered with soft hairs. Its lower, radical kidney-shaped leaves are 6 to 18 inches long, 6 to 8 inches in diameter and are borne on slender stalks. The upper leaves are similar and either stalk less or have short footstalks. Its flowers are numerous, small, about 1/8 inch in diameter and yellow-green in colour.

Uses: Bear's foot is used as an astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and emmenagogue. For its astringency, it is used in diarrhoea and as a mouthwash for sores and ulcers. It is quite effective in menorrhagia and metrorrhagia.