Tormentil

Potentilla erecta

Tormentil is a small, 4 petalled, yellow flower that grows abundantly on heaths and in meadows, but is probably best cultivated. The root is used, and is the strongest astringent in our indigenous flora. The root contains up to 22% tannins.

To make a tincture it is best to decoct some of the root first, using the resulting decoction as the water fraction of the menstruum for the tincture. Tincture should be 1:3 @ 30%. This will yield a beautiful deep red liquid, a few drops of which will make your whole mouth pucker.

Actions

• Astringent
• Anti-microbial
• Anti-viral
• Hypotensive
• Anti-inflammatory

Uses

• Diarrhoea, enteritis, colitis
• Dysentery
• Proctitis
• Mouthwash for gingivitis, stomatitis
• nosedrops for nasal polyps, rhinitis, heavy catarrh