Symptom → Plant Sources
Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) as a tool for helping with Diarrhoea
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
Objectives To determine the effectiveness of tormentil root extract (TRE) for treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in children. Background Rotavirus, one of the most widely spread pathogens of acute, dehydrating diarrhea in children, is estimated to cause >800 000 annual deaths of young children in developing countries. Currently no rotavirus vaccine is available. Management involves rehydration therapy. Available antiperistaltic or antisecretory drugs to reduce the severity of diarrhea can cause serious side effects in children. Methods A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Children's Hospital for Infectious Diseases #3, St. Petersburg, Russia in 40 children ranging in age from 3 months to 7 years with rotavirus diarrhea. We constructed 2 groups for comparison: a treatment group that consisted of 20 children treated with tormentil root extract; and a control group of 20 children who received a placebo. All patients received 3 drops of tormentil root extract or placebo per year of life, three times daily until discontinuation of diarrhea, or a maximum of 5 days. An objective method was used to evaluate diarrhea, and physical examination was used to assess degree of dehydration in children. Results The duration of diarrhea in the tormentil root extract treatment group was 3 days, compared with 5 days in the control group (P Conclusions The administration of tormentil root extract in controlled doses shortened the duration of rotavirus diarrhea and decreased the requirement for rehydration solutions. Tormentil root extract appears to be an effective measure to treat rotavirus diarrhea in children.
In a murine model of acute Campylobacter jejuni infection, extracts of tormentil (Potentilla erecta) combined with menthol, raspberry leaves and loosestrife alleviated campylobacteriosis-induced diarrhoeal symptoms and lowered colonic T-cell numbers and pro-inflammatory cytokines, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antidiarrhoeal effects.
Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) rhizome has been used since medieval times and has European pharmacopoeia and traditional-use monographs. This review summarises its phytochemistry and pharmacology, with ellagitannins as main ingredients, and concludes that in vitro and in vivo data support the traditional use for diarrhoea and mucosal inflammation.
5 sources supporting Tormentil for Diarrhoea. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's astringent action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Commercial tormentil (Potentilla erecta) rhizomes and tinctures were analysed for polyphenols, showing a high content of condensed and hydrolysable tannins (over 20% in rhizomes), with procyanidins B3 and C2, agrimoniin, galloylquinic acids and catechin as main components, underpinning the astringent activity of the herb.
Mucoadhesive hydrogels containing dried tormentil (Potentilla erecta) extract, rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins and agrimoniin, significantly reduced cariogenic Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, with complete inhibition at 2 mg/mL, supporting the use of tormentil for periodontal and oral diseases.