Tormentil
Scientific names: Potentilla erecta, Potentilla tormentilla
Family: Rosaceae
Alternate names: Biscuits, Bloodroot, Cinquefoil, Earthbank, English Sarsaparilla, Ewe Daisy, Flesh and Blood, Potentielle Droite, Potentille, Potentille Dressée, Potentilla, Potentille Tormentille, Septfoil, Shepherd's Knapperty, Shepherd's Knot, Thormantle, Tormentilla, Tormentillae Rhizoma, Tormentille
Actions: Agglutinating, Antibacterial, Anticoagulant, Antidiabetic, Antielastase, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Cytotoxic, Gastrointestinal, Growth-promoting, Hepatic, Pulmonary, Other
Background
Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) is a plant in the Rosaceae family that's found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It's traditionally used for diarrhea.
Tormentil contains ingredients called tannins that might help reduce skin inflammation. Tannins also have a drying effect. This effect might help control diarrhea and stop bleeding.
People use tormentil for diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse tormentil with bloodroot, German sarsaparilla, potentilla, or sarsaparilla. These are not the same.
Tormentil contains ingredients called tannins that might help reduce skin inflammation. Tannins also have a drying effect. This effect might help control diarrhea and stop bleeding.
People use tormentil for diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse tormentil with bloodroot, German sarsaparilla, potentilla, or sarsaparilla. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Tormentil is possibly safe. Tormentil extract has been safely used in doses of up to 3 grams daily for up to 3 weeks. Side effects may include mild stomach pain and heart burn.
When applied to the skin: Tormentil is possibly safe.
When applied to the skin: Tormentil is possibly safe.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tormentil is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using tormentil for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of tormentil might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Tormentil interacts with any medicines. Before taking Tormentil, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
Avoid taking tormentil with milk. Milk can decrease the effects of tormentil by binding to its active ingredients, called tannins.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 16/12/2021 00:52:30 and last updated on 07/08/2022 06:58:28. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
