In the humid meadows and in the snowdrifts and mountain ice fields, once the snow has receded, it is easy to discover the alquemilas and among them the lion’s foot (Alchemilla vulgaris), which is common in the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian mountains and the Central System.
It is recognized by its thick, rounded and toothed leaves, which have nine shallow lobes. The flowers are tiny, lacking a corolla, reduced to four yellowish sepals and grouped in globose inflorescences.
It blooms from the month of May and, for medicinal purposes, both the flowering parts and the root are harvested, the latter to a lesser extent.
Lion’s foot contains, above all, abundant tannins, although its biochemical composition also highlights the presence of salicylic acid, flavonoids, phytosterin and palmitic and stearic acids.
Medicinal properties
The main virtue of lion’s foot lies in the astringent and hemostatic action of its tannins, which make it a very suitable herbal remedy for treatment of poor venous circulation problems and bleeding in varicose veins, phlebitis, hemorrhoids and heavy menstruation.
Its astringent capacity is useful on moderately bleeding woundsulcers, dermatitis, erythema or redness of the skin, conjunctivitis, inflammation of the eyelids, styes, sores on the tongue and palatenosebleeds and hemorrhages caused by shaving with a razor or razor.
How to use
Lion’s foot is integrated into the composition of many mouthwashes and ointments, and in herbalists it is found in the form of a dry plant for infusion, alcoholic tincture, liquid extract, capsules and powders.
For hemorrhoids and varicose veins
Experts propose a very tight formula that combines lion’s foot with horse chestnut, butcher’s broom and melilotus, in equal parts.
How is it prepared: One tablespoon of the mixture is served per glass of water. Boil it for 1 or 2 minutes, let it rest for another 5, filter it and drink two or three glasses a day, which can be sweetened with green or star anise.
In a sitz bath or gentle scrubbing
This same formula can be applied externally in the form of a sitz bath or in gentle scrubbing, for which the amount must be increased to four tablespoons per liter. The bath should be taken with warm or even cold water, never with hot water.
For canker sores
Annoying canker sores or mouth ulcers that appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips or the base of the gums can be relieved with lion’s foot decoction, applied as a mouthwash or gargle, two or three times a day.
Dandelion helps relieve pain and inflammation, eliminates cells attacked by bacteria and repairs damaged cellular tissue.
For heavy periods
Lion’s foot is an excellent support to reduce bleeding during menstruation and regulate the menstrual cycle. This formula combines dandelion’s foot with sage, mugwort and santolina or female artemisia.
How to prepare it: Three tablespoons of the mixture are needed per liter of water. Boil it for a couple of minutes, let it rest for another 10 and strain it. It should be taken up to three times a day from nine days before the start of the menstrual period.
Precautions and contraindications
The use of this plant should be avoided orally in case of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcer.
Jordi Cebrián. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”