Potentilla erectus: useful properties and contraindications, how to apply

Medicinal plants can be just as effective as artificial preparations. But at the same time they do not have so many contraindications and side effects. Useful properties and contraindications of erect cinquefoil have long been known to traditional healers. Decoctions and tinctures of the plant were used for gastrointestinal disorders, internal and external bleeding.

Appearance of the plant

Potentilla erect, or galangal-grass, belongs to the Pink family. A thin stem rises above the ground to a height of 15-50 centimeters.In the root zone, the leaf blades are divided into 3 or 5 parts, have petiole attachment to the stem. The leaves on the stem are trifoliate, sessile. The rhizome is powerful, cylindrical in shape.

Yellow flowers are located at the top. The diameter of the corolla is within 2 centimeters. By the number of petals (4) in the corolla, they are distinguished from other types of cinquefoil. The fruit is a nutlet, in which 5 to 12 seeds ripen. Flowering period - May-August. Seeds ripen in August-September.

Chemical composition of Potentilla erectus

For medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant are used, but mainly the roots of galangal. Useful properties of cinquefoil erect are determined by the presence in it:

• tannins;
• essential oils;
• flavonoids;
• saponins;
• gum.

In terms of the content of tannins, Potentilla rhizomes are not inferior to oak bark.The astringent taste and astringency of the infusions are imparted by tannins, high-molecular phenolic compounds with a wide spectrum of action. The medicinal effect of tannins is an antimicrobial effect, stopping bleeding (external and internal).

Contained in essential oil, cineole has an antiseptic and expectorant effect. Flavonoids - plant pigments, similar in structure and chemical composition to hormones, are useful as antioxidants for medicinal purposes. Triterpene saponins (glycosides) have a beneficial effect on the immune, reproductive system of the human body.

Gum is a high molecular weight carbohydrate with analgesic, wound healing, anti-inflammatory properties.

Growth area

Potentilla erect unpretentious to soils, found in meadows, forest edges, in the undergrowth throughout the European territory of Russia to Altai.

Healing properties of the flower

Chemical components of galangal grass have astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect. The therapeutic effect is manifested when taking preparations from cinquefoil inside, topically and externally.

For women

Potentilla erectus is useful for women with uterine bleeding, as it reduces capillary permeability and constricts blood vessels. As a local remedy used for douching with cervical erosion, colpitis, vaginitis.

For men

For men, galangal-grass is recommended for problems with potency, reproductive function.

How and when is the best time to harvest the plant?

Flowers, leaves, stems of Potentilla erectus are harvested in May-August to distinguish them from other types of Potentilla by their flowers. Yellow color and 4 petals are the main species feature of erect cinquefoil.The rhizomes are dug up in late autumn or early spring. Damaged roots are not used.

For what diseases is it useful to take?

Diseases in which Potentilla erectus has a positive therapeutic effect:

• gastritis;
• gastric ulcer;
• enteritis;
• enterocolitis;
• dysentery;
• duodenal ulcer;
• cholecystitis;
• cirrhosis;
• chronic hepatitis;
• inflammation in the uterus;
• cervical erosion;
• gum inflammation;
• tonsils (acute and chronic);
• hemorrhoids;
• wounds and burns;
• skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema).

Extracts from the rhizome have an analgesic effect.

Kalgan in folk medicine

In folk medicine, the properties of a medicinal plant have long been known and widely used. Modern biochemical studies have shown that the use of galangal grass is justified.

Medicinal raw materials are dried roots, fresh and dried flowers, leaves and stems of Potentilla.

Decoction for cirrhosis

To prepare a decoction, the root is crushed in a coffee grinder or smashed with a hammer. For 20 milliliters of chilled boiled water, 1 tablespoon of powder is required. The suspension in a glass container under a tight lid is placed in a water bath at a water temperature of 50 degrees. Bring the water to a boil over low heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

The broth is allowed to cool to 60 degrees, after which it is filtered, squeezed, and boiled water is added to 200 milliliters. Take 1 tablespoon 10-15 minutes before meals. The broth is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.

Infusion for rheumatism and gout

The crushed root (2 tablespoons) is poured into a container and poured with 500 milliliters of water. Boil over low heat under a lid for 20 minutes. Cool, filter. The medicine is taken 1/3 cup a day before meals. With an exacerbation, the dose is reduced by half. After the onset of remission, the drug is taken in the same volume.

Infusion of dysentery

With dysentery, Potentilla infusion is taken if the disease is mild (without high fever and bloody discharge in the feces). Flowers and leaves are added to the ground rhizome. The total amount of medicinal raw materials per glass of boiling water is 2 tablespoons.

The mixture is brought to a boil and aged over low heat for 10 minutes. Take the remedy 1 tablespoon 5 times for the first 3 days, then every 3 days reduce the dose by 1 spoon. If symptoms persist, medical treatment is needed.

Bleeding tincture

With uterine bleeding, accompanied by severe pain, the tincture is prepared from the seeds of Potentilla in milk. For 250 milliliters of milk, 1 teaspoon of dried seeds is required. The mixture is boiled for 5 minutes, cooled and filtered. The resulting tincture is drunk in 2 doses: morning and evening, before breakfast and before bedtime.

In case of gastric or intestinal bleeding, the infusion is prepared from the root and flax seed: 1 tablespoon per 200 milliliters of boiling water. Cover the container with a lid and leave to steam for 3-4 hours under a tight cover. Take before meals 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon.

Potentilla erectus is used in the treatment of tuberculosis with hemoptysis. The infusion is prepared from the crushed root or mixed with sage (herb) and Ethiopian cloves. In the first version, 20 grams of the root (powder) is boiled in 250 milliliters of water.After straining, take 1/3 cup 4 times a day half an hour before meals. In the second option, all components are crushed, take 1 tablespoon each, brewed in boiling water for 7 minutes. Medicinal dose - 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.

Ointment for burns and ulcers

Ointment is prepared on the basis of cold-pressed olive oil. Soak 150 milliliters of oil and 10 grams of root powder in a water bath for 30 minutes. Leave overnight at room temperature. The ointment should be mixed well before application.

Decoction for seizures and tetanus

Decoction prepared from all parts of the plant has analgesic properties. The root is crushed with a hammer or in a coffee grinder. The herbaceous part, seeds and flowers are taken whole. All components are placed in an enameled container in the ratio: 10 grams of root powder, 20 grams of leaves and stem, 5 grams of flowers and seeds.Pour the contents with boiling water (1 liter). Keep boiling on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the stove, cover for a day with a dense, warm material. Taken warm in the morning and in the evening, ½ cup.

Tincture for gastric disorders

To prepare the tincture, you will need 200 milliliters of 70% ethyl alcohol, part of the galangal root (approximate ratio 10:1). A container with alcohol and galangal is placed for 14 days in a dark, warm place for infusion. The finished medicine is diluted with water before use. Single dose - 30-40 drops. Number of receptions - 5 times a day.

For stomach ulcers, tincture is prepared with vodka. For 0.5 liters of 40% ethyl alcohol you will need:

• Potentilla leaves and stems - 1 tablespoon;
• thyme - 1 tablespoon;
• water mint - 1 tablespoon;
• sage - 1 teaspoon.

Insist 3 weeks in a warm, dark place. The course of treatment is 10 days, 10 milliliters before meals. Break in reception - 10 days. Repeat course. For hepatitis and cirrhosis, exclude thyme from the composition of the tincture.

Decoction of stomatitis

In case of diseases of the oral cavity, a decoction is prepared for rinsing. The root (20 grams) must be finely crushed, pour 0.5 liters of cold water. Close the lid, put on a slow fire and bring to a boil. Remove from heat after 15 minutes, cool. Rinse with warm decoction 3-4 times a day.

Decoction for diarrhea

Intestinal disorders are treated with a decoction of the mixture:

• Potentilla root;
• burnets;
• shepherd's purse herbs.

The ratio between the ingredients is 1:1:2. The mixture is crushed. Two tablespoons of the powder is poured into a glass of water at room temperature, brought to a boil and kept on low heat for 20 minutes. Take ¼ cup 3 times a day.

Tincture for potency

Galgan tincture on vodka has a tonic, tonic effect. The root (20 grams) is infused for a month in 0.5 liter of vodka in a dark place. The drink acquires cognac color and taste. The root is removed, the vodka is filtered. Before dinner, it is recommended to take 30 milliliters of tincture.

Galgan extract

Alcohol extract of galangal is used to treat biliary tract. An aqueous extract is prescribed to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland in diffuse goiter.

More about use in women

Decoctions, tinctures of galangal are used to treat acne, acne, oily skin and hair. Potentilla decoction can be added to micellar water (1:4 ratio) and used in the morning and evening instead of washing with acne.

In spring and summer, the infusion can be prepared from fresh flowers, leaves and stems. In autumn and winter, preparations are prepared from the roots.

For thin, sensitive facial skin, daily rinses, decoction/infusion compresses for 15-20 minutes are useful. The greasiness of the hair will decrease if galangal tincture is added to the rinse water.

Contraindications and side effects

All preparations from Potentilla erectus have a hypotensive effect. People with low blood pressure are not recommended to take medicines from galangal by mouth. The use of decoctions, tinctures inside is contraindicated for persons suffering from constipation. An overdose causes vomiting and abdominal pain.

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