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.
