Since the Middle Ages, the tormentil plant has been used to ease what was known as “torments” (intestinal colic). Its name comes from that fact. Due to its intense effects, it is called potentilla in Latin, which comes from potentem (powerful).
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Tormentil Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name – Potentilla tormentilla L., Potentilla erecta (L) Rāuschel.
- Other Names – Shepherd’s knot, upright septfoil.
- French – Tormentille.
- Spanish – Tormentilla.
- Environment – Spread all over wet plains and mountains of Europe, it is also known in America.
- Description – The plant of the Rosaceae family grows from 10 to 40 cm high, with weak stems, leaves with three-toothed segments, and flowers with four petals, unlike other Potentilla species such as silverweed and five-finger grass, which have five petals.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally – The rhizome (underground stem) when fresh.
Healing Properties
The tormentil plant’s main component of the tormentil rhizome is tannin, which makes up 15 percent of its weight. It also contains a glycoside (tormentilline) and bitter chinovic acid. It has strong astringent, antidiarrheic, and hemostatic (stops hemorrhages) properties. It is recommended for the following cases:
- Infectious diarrhea of all types – The tormentil plant calms colic aches caused by intestinal spasms, which usually accompany diarrhea.
- Hemorrhoids – when locally applied (sitz baths), it reduces the inflammation of hemorrhoids and stops bleeding.
- Stomatitis and pharyngitis – used in mouth rinsings and gargles.
- Epistaxis (nasal hemorrhages). Applied as irrigation or by soaking a gauze packing.
How to use Tormentil
- Decoction with 30 grams of rhizome per liter of water. Drink three or four cups daily until diarrhea stops.
- Powder – The recommended dose is 2-4 grams daily in capsules.
- Sitz baths – Add 1 to 2 liters of a decoction more concentrated to the bathwater than that used internally (60 to 100 grams per liter).
- Mouth rinses and gargles – With the decoction mentioned above.
- Irrigation and nasal packing, with the same decoction.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
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. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 519. Print.[Tormentil Plant]
- Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Potentilla Species: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7795811/
- Tormentil for IBS: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10591345/
Last update on 2025-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API