Lion Claw (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Alchemilla vulgaris is a member of the genus Alchemilla in the family Rosaceae. Alchemilla is derived from the Arabic word Alkemelych (alchemy = alchemy), so named because the plant is believed to have certain powers. In connection with the fact that the effort to turn worthless substances into gold and to find the elixir of immortality that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely is called alchemy, Latin writers believed that they used the dew grains like an alchemist and purified them and they called the plant Alchemilla because they thought that the plant had very powerful effects in the treatment of diseases.

As Alchemilla is a plant that grows mainly in northern regions, it was not included in the classical materia medica. However, according to the ancient Germans, the plant was very important because it was thought to be related to the goddess Freya, known in mythology as the symbol of fertility. In the Middle Ages, the plant was used as a remedy for wounds, but in the Renaissance, it was included in the official pharmacopoeia and used particularly for women's diseases.

Alchemilla vulgaris L. is an ascending plant, 20–60 cm high, with very dense branches. The branches are hollow, short, soft-hairy, and green-greyish yellow. The basal leaves are kidney-shaped, semicircular, up to 8 cm in diameter, and 7-9 lobed. Stem leaves are smaller, with 5–9-lobed stipules, toothed margins, and slightly hairy petioles, either short or sessile. Flowers are apetalous, 3 mm in diameter, yellow-green. Calyxes 4: Toothed and broadly triangular. Pistil consists of a single carpel; the stigma is capitate.

When the leaves of the Alchemilla plant start to sweat or water bubbles form on them, it indicates that it will rain that day or the next. In ancient times, women living in areas with sudden rainfall would check the leaves of the Alchemilla plant before collecting laundry hung outside to dry. If the leaves were sweating, the laundry would be collected.

The Alchemilla plant has approximately 300 species worldwide. Several species of the Alchemilla plant, native to Asia and Europe, are also cultivated in gardens. The most well-known species include Alchemilla vulgaris L, A. aculitoba L., A. alpina L., A. xantochlora rothm., and A. speciosa Bus (Lamaison et al. 2001). However, A. vulgaris does not grow in our country.

There are approximately 80 taxa belonging to the genus Alchemilla in our country, most of which are endemic. Alchemilla species are often called 'lion's foot', 'hazelnut grass', 'Yeditepe', and 'Dokuz tepe', especially in the Eastern Black Sea Region. In Turkey, there are notable endemic species such as Alchemilla erythropoda, Alchemilla ikizdereensis, Alchemilla oriturcica, and Alchemilla trabzonica.

The plant contains salicylate-like substances, including a bitter flavour and aspirin, which have astringent properties. Plants that contain these compounds typically grow well in humid environments and have waterproof leaves that use collected water droplets in a beneficial way. It is believed that these plants can help remove excess water from tissues, making them a common treatment for bleeding, diarrhea, excessive menstruation, and infections. Tannins provide the plant with astringent properties and are used to restore muscle tone in tissues that have become relaxed due to various reasons, such as uterine prolapse or hernia. Salicylates thin coagulated blood and accelerate blood flow, preventing varicose veins.

The plant has been used since ancient times to treat many diseases due to its chemical content.

Certain species of lion's claw are native to our country, particularly in the Black Sea region. They are commonly used to treat menstrual disorders and gastrointestinal complaints. To prepare, steep 2-4g of the droplets in 150 ml of hot water and drink as tea. The plant also has laxative and diuretic properties and can be used externally as an astringent and wound-healing agent. Alchemilla vulgaris is commonly used in Europe as an anti-inflammatory and to treat aphthae in the mouth.

A study using a 3% extract of Alchemilla vulgaris in glycerin found that topical application of the plant was therapeutic for aphthae and reduced mouth ulcerations. It also has wound-healing and astringent properties and is used to treat urogenital diseases and as an antiseptic. In Italy, Alchemilla vulgaris leaves are infused for their gastric, tonic, and hemostatic properties.

The plant is also used in Arabic medicine to treat wounds, gastrointestinal pain, and obesity.

Alchemilla vulgaris contains numerous biologically active compounds, including high levels of polyphenolic compounds, as is common in other members of the Rosaceae family. The Alchemilla vulgaris plant contains various polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, and organic acids. The European Pharmacopoeia specifies that the dried plant contains up to 6% tannins. A study using thin layer chromatography with the liquid extract of the plant reported a tannin percentage of 10%. Furthermore, the plant contains a small amount of saponin. In another study using methanol extract, it was discovered that the plant contains 0.65% quercetin derivative and 1.77% 3-O-campferol-6α-O-(p-coumaryl)-b-D-glucopyranoside.