What effect does goose cinquefoil have?
Goose cinquefoil (Potentilla anserina) contains as active ingredients mainly tannins, which have a contracting (astringent) effect on the tissue. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. Goose cinquefoil is therefore used internally in the following cases:
- mild, non-specific, acute diarrheal diseases
- @ mild complaints associated with menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
Folk medicine attributes further healing effects to the goose cinquefoil. It also recommends the medicinal plant for external use – for example, for poorly healing wounds.
How is goose cinquefoil used?
The above-ground parts, i.e. flowers, leaves and stems, collected shortly before or during the flowering period are used medicinally.
You can drink a cup several times a day between meals. A daily dose of four to six grams of the medicinal drug is recommended.
Mouthwashes with the goose cinquefoil tea several times a day relieve mild inflammation of the mouth and throat. You can also make a tincture with the medicinal plant.
As an alternative to tea, ready-to-use medicines such as dragées containing the active ingredients of goose cinquefoil are helpful.
Goose cinquefoil is also used in homeopathy, for example as globules.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limitations. If your symptoms persist for a long time, do not get better or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What side effects can goose cinquefoil cause?
There is no experience with the use of the medicinal plant in pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under twelve years of age.
What you should pay attention to when using goose cinquefoil
- Due to its relatively weak effect, goose cinquefoil should be used in combination with more potent medicinal plants.
How to obtain goose cinquefoil products
Dried goose cinquefoil, tea (mixtures) as well as ready-to-use preparations such as dragées or drops are available in your pharmacy and in well-stocked health food stores.
For the correct use of finished medicines, read the respective package insert or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is goose cinquefoil?
The small plant is a popular source of food, especially for geese – hence the scientific species name “anserina” (Latin: anser = goose). The genus name “Potentilla” presumably describes the healing power (Latin: potentia = power) of the entire plant genus, which also includes the bloodroot (Potentilla erecta).
The flowers of the goose cinquefoil have a diameter of up to three centimeters, are bright yellow and five-fold (rarely four-fold).
