Tormentill root

The plant species tormentil, Potentilla erecta, belonging to the Rosaceae family, is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 10 to 30 cm. Potentilla erecta is mainly found in the temperate zones of Central Europe as far as Siberia, and is a neophyte in North America.

The plant develops bright yellow flowers. Its flowering period is from May to October. Potentilla erecta grows from a stout rhizome the tormentill rhizome.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Internal: mild diarrhoea, external: mild inflammation of the oral mucosaESCOP monograph:
Internal: non-specific, acute diarrhoea, supportive in acute and chronic intestinal inflammation; external: mild inflammation of the mouth and throatCommission
E monograph: Internal: non-specific, acute diarrhoea, 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 anti-inflammatory effects in the UV-erythema test and when applied to atopic skin. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 14:917-923.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/blutwurz.php.