PDR for Herbal Medicines

192 /CINQUEFOIL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Ginquefoil

Potentilla erecta

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the rhizome freed

from the roots, the fresh underground parts collected in the

spring, the dried rhizome and the rhizome gathered in the

spring.

Flower and Fruit: The small, yellow, long-pedicled flowers

grow opposite the leaves or at branching points on the stem.

The 4 sepals have a 4-bract epicalyx. There are 4 free petals.

which are obcordate and somewhat darker at the base. There

are usually 16 stamens and numerous ovaries with thread-

like styles. The receptacle is domed. The fruit is nut-like.

hard, 1 seeded, ovate, grooved and occasionally smooth.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is about 30 cm high and a

rhizomatus herbacious perennial. The rhizome is 1 to 3 cm

thick, irregular, gnarled to cylindrical, woody, dark-brown

outside and blood red inside. The stem is erect or decumbent.

never rooting, branching. The trifoliate rosette-like basal

leaves wilt early and are gone before flowering. The cauline

leaves are sessile, trifoliate and appear to be in fives because

of 2 stipules

Characteristics: The plant is odorless and has an astringent

taste.

Habitat: The plant is found as far north as Northern

Scandinavia and as far south as Northwest Africa, Italy.

Central Spain and the Balkans.

Production: Cinquefoil rhizome consists of the dried rhi-

zome, freed from the roots, of Potentilla erecta (syn:

Potentilla tormentilla N.) and its preparations. After harvest-

ing the rhizome is air-dried.

Not to be Confused With: May be confused with Radix

bistortae and the rhizomes of Geum species.

Other Names: Cinquefoil, Septfoil, Thormantle, Biscuits,

Bloodroot, Earthbank, Ewe Daisy, Flesh and Blood, Shep-

herd's Knapperty, Shepherd's Knot, English Sarsaparilla

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Catechins: including (-)-gallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigalloca-

techin gallate, dimerics and trimerics of the catechin

derivatives

Catechin tannins (15 to 20%), transformed under storage

conditions into non-water soluble tanner's reds

(phlobaphenes)

Flavonoids: including kaempferol j

Gallo tannins (3.5%), including agrimonine, pedunculagin,

levigatines B and F proanthocyanidins

Tannins (17 to 22%)

Triterpenes: including tormentoside, ursolic acid, e-epi-po-

molic acid

EFFECTS

The drug is astringent, antimicrobial and molluscidal be-

cause of the tannin complex (gallic tannins and ellagic

tannins). In animal experiments an antihypertensive, anti-

allergic, immune-stimulating, antiviral and interferon-induc-

ing effect has been demonstrated.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Diarrhea


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx

Tormentil is used internally to treat non-specific acute

diarrhea. The drug is used externally for gingivitis, stomatitis

and pressure caused by prosthetic devices.

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used internally

for acute and subacute gastroenteritis and diarrhea and

externally for poorly healing wounds, frostbite, burns and

hemorrhoids.

PRECAUTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. There are

reports in the literature of gastric complaints or vomiting

following intake of the drug or its extracts.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Tormentil is available in solid,

liquid and compounded preparations for internal and external

use.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, 2 to 3 gm finely cut or

coarsely powdered drug is added to cold water, and rapidly

brought to a boil, steep for some time and then strain. A cold

water decoction may be used to avoid loss of tannin strength

that occurs during the boiling process (1 teaspoon is

equivalent to approximately 4 gm drug).

To prepare a tincture, 1 part cut rhizome is percolated with 5

parts 70% ethanol (V/V) (DAB 10)

Daily Dosage: 4 to 6 gm drug

Tincture (1:10): 10 to 20 drops to one glass of water as a

rinse several times a day

Tea: 1 cup to be taken 3 to 4 times a day (acts as an anti-

diarrheal agent.)