medicinal herbs
Cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Cinquefoil

Latin name: Potentilla reptans

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Medicinal use of Cinquefoil:

Both the roots and the herb are antispasmodic, astringent and febrifuge. An infusion of the dried herb is used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc, it is also used as a gargle for sore throats and is used externally as an astringent lotion. A concentrated decoction of the root relieves toothache.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Dry sunny locations in meadows, pastures and waste ground, usually on basic or neutral soils.

Edible parts of Cinquefoil:

Young leaves - raw. A useful addition to salads.

Other uses of the herb:

The plant is an ingredient in many anti-wrinkle cosmetic preparations for the skin.

Propagation of Cinquefoil:

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Dry sunny locations in meadows, pastures and waste ground, usually on basic or neutral soils.

Known hazards of Potentilla reptans:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.