Tormentill root

Potentilla erecta, a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 10 to 30 cm. Potentilla erecta is mainly found in the temperate zones of Central Europe to Siberia and is a neophyte in North America.

The plant develops bright yellow flowers. It flowers from May to October. Potentilla erecta grows from a strong rootstock (rhizome), the tormentil rootstock.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Internal: mild diarrhea, external: mild inflammation of the oral mucosa
ESCOP monograph: Internal: non-specific, acute diarrhea, supportive in acute and chronic intestinal inflammation; external: mild inflammation of the mouth and throat
Commission E-monograph: Internal: non-specific, acute diarrhea, external: mild inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Potentilla erecta is the parent plant of Tormentillae rhizoma, the official preparation of the dried rhizome. The rhizome is mainly dug up in spring or autumn (shortly before or shortly after flowering), dried in the sun and crushed. Medically, the crushed rhizome is used either as an alcoholic extract (tincture) or as tea.

The root extract of the plant which is listed under the INCI designation"Potentilla erecta (root) extract" is used in cosmetic formulations. The extract has astringent and anti-inflammatory effects.

Repha-Os® Mouth spray

The synonym " bloodroot" takes its name from the deep red juice that comes out of the rhizome when cut. The "tormentil red" is the reddish-brown oxidation product of the catechine tannins.

1. Hoffmann J et al. (2016) Tannins from Potentilla officinalis have an anti-inflammatory effect in the UV erythema test and when applied to atopic skin. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 14:917-923.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/blutwurz.php