Symptom → Plant Sources
Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) as a tool for helping with Inflammation (general)
Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat
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Full Tormentil monograph →All plants for inflammation (general) →
Potentilla erecta (tormentil), traditionally used for inflammatory skin and mucosal disorders, strongly reduced IL-6, prostaglandin E2 and NF-kappaB activation in keratinocytes and showed a blanching (vasoconstrictive) effect comparable to hydrocortisone via NO scavenging and eNOS inhibition, supporting topical treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.
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.
4 sources supporting Tormentil for Inflammation (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
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.
This review of herbal biomedicines for skin disorders describes tormentil (Potentilla erecta) among the plant drugs used to treat atopic dermatitis and rosacea, alongside other herbs for psoriasis, herpes, acne and wound healing, summarising clinical and preclinical evidence for topical anti-inflammatory phytotherapy.
This review of herbal treatments for ulcerative colitis discusses tormentil (Potentilla erecta) extracts among the herbs (with aloe vera, butyrate, wheatgrass and curcumin) showing potential effectiveness, summarising the bioactivity and clinical evidence for tormentil in inflammatory bowel disease.