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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Tormentil

Potentilla erecta

Family RosaceaeParts used RhizomeAlso known as Common tormentil, Septfoil, Bloodroot

This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 12 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Key Constituents

Tannins (ellagitannins such as agrimoniin, and catechin-type tannins)[11, 12]

The main astringent active constituents.

TanninsCatechins
Flavonoids and phenolic acids[12]

Antioxidant supporting constituents.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

Antidiarrhoeal[1, 4, 8, 11, 12]

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

Astringent[2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12]

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Diarrhoea[1, 4, 8, 11, 12]Moderate · 5/10

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (ellagitannins tighten the gut lining) - in a paediatric RCT, tormentil root extract shortened rotavirus diarrhoea (3 vs 5 days) and reduced rehydration needs

more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[9, 12]Traditional · 1/10

Supportive in inflammatory bowel disease / ulcerative colitis (limited trial evidence)

more plants for inflammatory bowel disease (ibd) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[4, 10, 11, 12]Limited · 3/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[6, 8, 10, 11, 12]Moderate · 6/10

inferred from astringent action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Sore throat[7, 11, 12]Traditional · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →
Wounds[8, 11, 12]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from astringent action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11]Info

Tannin-rich: high or prolonged intake may cause stomach upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.

Safety note[11]Caution

Diarrhoea persisting more than 3-4 days, or with fever or blood in the stool, needs medical care. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of data.

References

REF-0970, REF-0971, REF-0972, REF-0973, REF-0974, REF-0975, REF-0976, REF-0602, REF-0977, REF-0978

References & Sources

  1. Bandick, R., Busmann, L.V., Mousavi, S., Shayya, N.W. and others (2023) 'Therapeutic Effects of Oral Application of Menthol and Extracts from Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Raspberry Leaves and Loosestrife during Acute Murine Campylobacteriosis', Pharmaceutics, 15(10), pp. 2410. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102410
  2. Fecka, I., Kucharska, A.Z. and Kowalczyk, A (2015) 'Quantification of tannins and related polyphenols in commercial products of tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla)', Phytochemical Analysis, 26(5), pp. 353-366. doi:10.1002/pca.2570 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2570
  3. Marcinczyk, N., Jarmoc, D., Leszczynska, A., Zakrzeska, A. and others (2017) 'Antithrombotic Potential of Tormentil Extract in Animal Models', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, pp. 534. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00534 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00534
  4. Melzig, M.F. and Bottger, S (2020) 'Tormentillae rhizoma - Review for an Underestimated European Herbal Drug', Planta Medica, 86(15), pp. 1050-1057. doi:10.1055/a-1129-7214 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1129-7214
  5. Marcinczyk, N., Golaszewska, A., Gromotowicz-Poplawska, A., Misztal, T. and others (2021) 'Multidirectional Effects of Tormentil Extract on Hemostasis in Experimental Diabetes', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 682987. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.682987 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.682987
  6. Hoffmann, J., Gendrisch, F., Schempp, C.M. and Wolfle, U (2020) 'New Herbal Biomedicines for the Topical Treatment of Dermatological Disorders', Biomedicines, 8(2), pp. 27. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8020027 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8020027
  7. Tomczyk, M., Sosnowska, K., Pleszczynska, M., Strawa, J. and others (2017) 'Hydrogel Containing an Extract of Tormentillae rhizoma for the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Oral Diseases', Natural Product Communications, 12(3), pp. 417-421. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30549900/ Preclinical
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30549900/
  8. Subbotina, M.D., Timchenko, V.N., Vorobyov, M.M., Konunova, Y.S., Aleksandrovih, Y.S. and Shushunov, S (2003) 'Effect of oral administration of tormentil root extract (Potentilla tormentilla) on rotavirus diarrhea in children: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial', The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 22(8), pp. 706--711. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1097/01.inf.0000078355.29647.d0
  9. Wan, P., Chen, H., Guo, Y. and Bai, A.P (2014) 'Advances in treatment of ulcerative colitis with herbs: from bench to bedside', World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(39), pp. 14099-14104. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099
  10. Wolfle, U., Hoffmann, J., Haarhaus, B., Rao Mittapalli, V. and Schempp, C.M (2017) 'Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of Potentilla erecta - A traditional medicinal plant from the northern hemisphere', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 204, pp. 86-94. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.058 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.058
  11. European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., rhizoma (Tormentillae rhizoma)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma Traditional / reference
    https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tormentillae-rhizoma
  12. ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Tormentillae rhizoma (Tormentil) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/tormentil/ Traditional / reference
    https://www.escop.com/downloads/tormentil/

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: website+pubmed+symptom-tool · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio