Besides silverweed, there are two more medicinal Potentilla species: European five-finger grass (Potentilla reptans L.,/Potentilla Canadensis L.) and tormentil (Potentilla erecta L.). All three have a decisive action against diarrhea and intestinal colics.
Silverweed Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name: Potentilla anserina L.
- Other Names: Silver cinquefoil, Argentina.
- French: Anserine.
- Spanish: Argentina.
- Environment: It grows all over Europe except along the Mediterranean coast. It is found in America, growing in humid soils.
- Description: Plant of the Rosaceae family, which grows from 20 to 40 cm high, with toothed, silky leaves, silver-colored on their underside, growing from a central point. Its flowers are solitary, bright yellow, with five petals.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: The leaves and flowers.
Silverweed Healing Properties
The plant contains tannin, flavonoids, organic acids, choline, bitter components, and sugars. Internally used, it has the following properties:
- Antispasmodic – Silverweed calms colic pain, primarily intestinal, biliary, and kidney pains. It is also used for dysmenorrhea and uterine spasms.
- Antidiarrheic – Because of its tannin content, it is very effective for gastroenteritis and infectious diarrhea. It is usually used in combination with chamomile.
- Appetizer and digestive, partly due to its bitter components, the plant eases digestion.
In external applications, it is used as compresses for hemorrhoids to reduce their inflammation and size because of the action of the tannin.
How to use Silverweed
- Decoction with 30 to 50 grams of plant per liter of water. Drink from three to five cups daily.
- Compresses soaked in the abovementioned decoction, then applied to the hemorrhoids two to three times a day.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 371. Print.
