Potentilla

OTHER NAME(S): Anserina, Ansérine, Argentine, Bec d'Oie, Crampweed, Goose Grass, Goose Tansy, Goosewort, Herbe aux Oies, Moor Grass, Potentille, Potentille Ansérine, Potentille des Oies, Prince's Feather, Richette, Silverweed, Silverweed Cinquefoil, Trailing Tansy, Wild Agrimony, Wild Tansy, Argentina anserina, synonym Potentilla anserina, Prince's Feathers

Overview

Potentilla (Argentina anserina) is a plant native to North America. It also grows in cool areas of the northern hemisphere and is used as medicine.

Potentilla contains chemicals that might have antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.

People sometimes use potentilla for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse potentilla with other plants with similar common names, including agrimony, amaranth, clivers, tormentil, or jewelweed. These are not the same.

References
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  5. Miyanishi K, Eriksson O, Wein RW. The biology of Canadian weeds. 98 Potentilla anserina L. Can J Plan Sci. 1991;71:791-801.
  6. Yang D, Wang L, Zhai J, et al. Characterization of antioxidant, a-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitors from the rhizomes of Potentilla anserina L. and their structure-activity relationship. Food Chem. 2021 Jan 30;336:127714.
  7. Guo T, Qing Wei J, Ping Ma J. Antitussive and expectorant activities of Potentilla anserina. Pharm Biol. 2016;54(5):807-11.