Tormentill root

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 30.08.2021

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Synonym(s)

Blutwurz; Dilledapp; Durmentill; Erect cinquefoil; erectile potentilla; Potentilla erecta L.; Redroot; Ruhrwurz; Seven Fingers; Tormentill; viper's root

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

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.

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

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.


General therapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Repha-Os® Mouth spray

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

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.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  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.

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Last updated on: 30.08.2021