Medicinal Plants : Potentilla reptans

Name

Five-finger grass

Biological Name

Potentilla canadensis, Potentilla reptans

Other Names

Five-finger grass, cinquefoil, finger leaf, five fingers, cinquefoil, European five finger grass

Parts Used

Root, leaves

Remedies For

Astringent

Five-finger grass makes a good gargle and mouthwash and a good remedy for diarrhea. The powdered root or bark of the root can be used, as well as the leaves. The root bark has also been recommended for stopping nosebleed and other internal bleeding.

Description

Five-finger grass is a perennial plant found mostly in dry soils in the US and Canada. Its procumbent stem bears petioled leaves palmately divided into five sharp-toothed, obovate to oblanceolate leaflets. Solitary yellow flowers grow on long peduncles from the axils of the leaves from April to August

Dosage

Infusion: Steep 2 or 3 tsp. leaves in 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day.

Decoction: Boil 1 oz. root bark in 1-1/2 cups of water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Take 1/4 cup, two or three times a day.

Powdered Root: Take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. at a time

Tincture: A dose is from 20 to 40 drops

Safety

No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.