Cinquefoil

(Potentilla anserina L., Rosaceae)

Also Called: Wild Tansy, Silverweed

Description: Perennial plant with thick, woody rootstock and long, creeping stolons rooting at the nodes.
Leaves up to 20cm (8in) long, imparipinnate with 11-21 leaflets; leaflets linear, deeply dentate, upper surface green and slightly hairy, lower surface whitish and velvety.
Flowers handsome, golden-yellow, 2cm (0.8in) in diameter, borne singly on long stems.
Flowering: June-autumn.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: A common weed on roadsides, in waste places and damp pastures throughout Europe. Collected when in flower, preferably before August and dried either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents and Action: Contains tannins.
It is astringent and antispasmodic in the treatment of diarrhoea and of spasms of the womb; anti-inflammatory.

Usage: Internally either as a tisane (a handful in 1 litre (1 75pt) of cold water, boil for 5 minutes and allow to stand) or in powder form (a knife-pointful mixed with water, wine or tea 3-5 times daily) for menstrual pains and for diarrhoea with colic
Externally the decoction is applied to wounds.