Upright cinquefoil (tormentil): beneficial properties

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Upright cinquefoil, or tormentil, is a medicinal plant from the rose family, whose rhizomes are mainly used. According to herbal medicine reference books, preparations made from them have traditionally been used as an astringent remedy for some digestive tract disorders, as well as externally and for rinsing.

What kind of plant is it and where can you find it?

Upright cinquefoil (*Potentilla erecta*) belongs to the rose family. Older reference books also list other names for it: cinquefoil-uzik, wild tormentil, dubrovka. It is a perennial plant found in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, and Western Siberia. Its range does not extend further east.

According to botanical reference descriptions, cinquefoil grows on acidic soils. It can be found on forest edges, clearings, and cutover areas. It also grows well in moist and dry meadow areas, including damp places and marshy sections.

There is another important feature. Plants growing in open areas provide the most valuable medicinal raw material. In damp places, the rhizomes usually grow larger. Older books also classify upright cinquefoil as a plant of forest edges and clearings. It can be found among other wild medicinal herbs.

How to identify the medicinal raw material?

For medicinal purposes, not the entire above-ground part of the plant is used, but the rhizomes. They are the main raw material of upright cinquefoil. In medicinal plant references, the rhizome is designated as Rhizoma Tormentillae. In the past, the name “uzik” was also used for upright cinquefoil.

Therefore, when harvesting, it is important not to confuse the plant with other cinquefoil species. In nature, you can find silverweed cinquefoil, silver cinquefoil, and other representatives of this genus. They have their own descriptions and areas of use.

The finished raw material of upright cinquefoil consists of dried rhizomes, which may have a cylindrical or lumpy shape. They are harvested specifically as the underground part of the plant, so the presence of stems and unnecessary roots after processing is considered undesirable.

What are the benefits of upright cinquefoil?

The main feature of the rhizome is associated with its high content of tannins. According to reference sources, their amount can reach 31%. In addition to tannins, the rhizomes are described as containing tormentol, the glycoside tormentillin, quinic and ellagic acids, phlobaphenes, resin, traces of essential oil, starch, and other substances. Another reference source gives a similar composition: tannins, flabaphenes, tormentillin glycoside, quinic and ellagic acids, wax, resins, gum, and starch.

This composition helps explain the traditional use of the plant. Cinquefoil belongs to plants with a pronounced astringent effect.

For the stomach and intestines

In medical practice, cinquefoil preparations — primarily rhizome decoction and tincture — are described as astringent remedies.

According to herbal medicine reference books, a rhizome decoction was traditionally used internally for inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea. Older manuals also describe its use for intestinal catarrh.

Cinquefoil was also included in various astringent stomach mixtures. Its rhizomes were combined with other medicinal plants when an astringent effect was needed.

One reference book gives a recipe for an infusion containing upright cinquefoil rhizome, immortelle, caraway, bilberry, and sage. The mixture contains 10,0 g of cinquefoil rhizomes, and the finished infusion is taken by ½ cup 2–3 times a day 15–20 minutes before meals.

Another option contains the same amount of cinquefoil rhizomes — 10,0 g — together with immortelle, caraway, bilberry, and sage in different proportions. The infusion is also taken by ½ cup 2–3 times a day 15–20 minutes before meals.

For the mouth and throat

Traditional use of cinquefoil is not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. Reference books describe a rhizome tincture for applying to the oral mucosa during inflammatory processes. Cinquefoil was also used in gargling preparations.

There is also a formula for a warm throat gargle. It includes 15,0 g of upright cinquefoil rhizomes, 15,0 g of marshmallow root, 15,0 g of oak bark, 15,0 g of sage leaves, and 5,0 g of fennel fruits. The infusion is used warm for gargling every 2–3 hours.

For the oral cavity, reference books also provide a water decoction with cinquefoil rhizome combined with oak bark, young pine cones, and bistort rhizome. It was used for mouth rinsing in cases of bleeding gums.

For external use

In older medical literature, rhizome decoction is also described for external use. It was used for burns, weeping eczema, and some other skin conditions. This use is associated with the astringent properties of the raw material. But we are talking specifically about traditional uses described in reference books, not a guaranteed result.

What is known about the effects of the substances?

Reference books separately mention alcohol extracts and polyphenols from upright cinquefoil rhizomes. In experiments, they showed antibacterial properties. The same sources indicate that tincture in high concentrations has a vasoconstricting effect.

Experimental data should not automatically be transferred to human treatment. Therefore, I consider them only as information about the properties of plant components, not as a promise of a therapeutic effect.

How are rhizomes usually used?

For upright cinquefoil, reference books describe decoction, tincture, and liquid extract. The main raw material is the rhizome. It is used internally as part of traditional approaches, as well as externally and for rinsing.

One specific preparation method looks like this: 20 g of rhizomes are poured with 200 ml of water and boiled for 20 minutes. The finished decoction is taken as 1 tablespoon half an hour before meals 2–3 times a day.

In reference books, this method is described for cinquefoil rhizomes as an astringent remedy for gastrointestinal disorders.

How to prepare the decoction correctly?

If we are talking about a water decoction, the rhizome is first crushed, then the specified amount of raw material and water are used. For the recipe given, this is 20 g of rhizomes per 200 ml of water.

After boiling for 20 minutes, the decoction is taken as 1 tablespoon half an hour before meals 2–3 times a day. Other formulas are used for rinsing. For example, an infusion with cinquefoil rhizome and other plants is used warm every 2–3 hours. It is important to distinguish between an infusion and a decoction. In the reference books mentioned, both options are found for cinquefoil, and the specific method depends on the composition and purpose.

How is tormentil harvested?

The medicinal raw material is the rhizome of upright cinquefoil.

Harvesting is carried out in July — September. The rhizomes are dug out with shovels or plowed out with plows. After that, they are cleaned of soil, stems and roots are removed, and they are washed in cold water.

Another reference book indicates autumn harvesting of rhizomes, while the above-ground part has not yet completely died back. Thin roots and stem remains are removed, after which the rhizomes are washed free of soil.

Thus, when collecting, the main attention is given specifically to the underground part of the plant. It is cleaned of foreign parts and soil before drying.

How to dry and store the raw material?

Cleaned rhizomes are dried outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms. This method is indicated in medicinal plant references for obtaining finished medicinal raw material. It is important that after cleaning the raw material is properly dried and does not remain damp.

In older descriptions of medicinal raw materials, cinquefoil is listed specifically as a rhizome. Therefore, during storage it makes sense to keep this raw material separately from other plants to prevent mixing species.

What traditional combinations with other plants exist?

Upright cinquefoil was included in various multi-component herbal mixtures.

For example, for a tendency toward diarrhea, a mixture is described consisting of 10,0 g of cinquefoil rhizomes, 10,0 g of wormwood herb, 20,0 g of horsetail herb, and 20,0 g of yarrow herb. The decoction is taken as 1–2 cups per day.

In another reference formula for cinquefoil, 25,0 g of rhizomes are indicated. They are combined with 25,0 g of burnet rhizomes and 50,0 g of shepherd’s purse herb. The decoction is taken by ½ cup 20–30 minutes before meals 3–4 times a day.

There is also a water decoction with cinquefoil, St. John’s wort, and yarrow, which is described in a reference book as a traditional stomach mixture.

However, multi-component mixtures require especially careful consideration. Each plant has its own properties, limitations, and contraindications. Therefore, I do not recommend replacing a doctor’s prescribed regimen with such recipes on your own.

How to find upright cinquefoil (tormentil) abroad

Look specifically for the underground part of the plant — the rhizome of *Potentilla erecta*, also known as *Tormentillae rhizoma*. Sellers sometimes call it a root, but the flowers, leaves, and fruits are not the specified medicinal part.

• USA: ask for tormentil or erect cinquefoil. Chopped rhizome for tea is more commonly available, and tinctures are also sold. You can search among online herb sellers and specialized health food stores. Do not rely only on the name bloodroot: it may refer to another plant.
• Germany: names include Blutwurz, Tormentill, Tormentillwurzelstock. The rhizome is sold loose for tea, including Arzneitee, as well as in tinctures or drops. You can start your search at an Apotheke or an online pharmacy.
• France: ask for tormentille, potentille tormentille or rhizome de tormentille. Chopped rhizome for tisane and teinture mère are available. Look in pharmacies, herboristeries, and their online stores.

Check the package for *Potentilla erecta*, the plant part (rhizome / Wurzelstock / rhizoma), and the product category: medicinal product or food tea/supplement. For tinctures, also check the plant part and alcohol content. Organic or bio labeling alone does not confirm medicinal status.

Sales and labeling rules depend on the country, so check the product category and local market requirements.

Upright cinquefoil: contraindications and precautions

According to current safety data, conclusions about medicinal preparations from upright cinquefoil rhizome should not be transferred to any part of the plant or any preparation form. It should not be used in cases of increased sensitivity to cinquefoil. When taken internally, mild gastrointestinal adverse reactions may occur, including nausea and vomiting. The frequency of these reactions is unknown. If diarrhea repeats, blood appears in the stool, or symptoms worsen, medical advice is needed.

When taken internally, cinquefoil may slow the absorption of other medicines. Therefore, current recommendations advise separating its use from other medications by at least 1 hour before or after taking them.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended because safety has not been established. Use in children under 18 is also not recommended due to insufficient safety data, including when using products for mouth rinsing.

Current data contain no reports of overdose cases. At the same time, there are insufficient studies on reproductive toxicity and other long-term safety aspects. Therefore, the absence of registered overdose cases cannot be considered proof of complete safety with long-term use.

When is a doctor needed?

Cinquefoil is a medicinal plant, so caution is needed even with traditional use. In case of an allergic reaction, stop using it and seek medical help. Pregnancy and breastfeeding require a separate consultation with a doctor. If a person regularly takes medicines, it is important to consider the possible slowing of their absorption. For chronic conditions, it is also better to discuss the use of medicinal plants with a specialist. Self-use of cinquefoil preparations is not recommended for children.

It is especially important not to try to treat prolonged or recurring diarrhea on your own. A doctor should be consulted if there is blood in the stool, symptoms worsen, or they return again. Medicinal plants may be used as part of traditional herbal medicine, but they do not replace diagnosis of the cause of complaints or medical care.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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