What is Cinquefoil?
Authors: Karen Bergeron Shelton and Deb Jackson Updated 02/16/2019
Potentilla simplex, Potentilla canadensis, Potentilla recta
Other Names: Five Fingers, Five-Finger Blossom, Five-finger grass, Sunkfield, Synkefoyle, Common Cinquefoil, Creeping Cinquefoil, Oldfield Cinquefoil
What is Cinquefoil Herb Used For?
The Cinquefoil plant contains a large amount of tannins and is most utilized by herbalists as an astringent. They might use an infusion of Cinquefoil as a herbal tonic for dysentery, diarrhea, fevers, and debility.
A decoction of Cinquefoil is used as a gargle for loose teeth, spongy gums, thrush and, periodontal disease. Fresh juice of Cinquefoil mixed with honey removes hoarseness and relaxes a sore throat, and is said to be therapeutic for coughs.
For skin care, a strong decoction of Cinquefoil is poured over infections, sores, and rashes. In herbal baths, it is intended to be soothing for reddened or irritated skin. An infusion of Cinquefoil leaves makes an excellent skin wash and is also used cosmetically as a soothing lotion for redness and for babies delicate skin. Cinquefoil is an ingredient in many anti-wrinkle cosmetic preparations.
Herbalist Henriette Kress has some unique information about using Cinquefoil for courage here.
She also says that she uses it as a substitute for Agrimony.
The young shoots and leaves of the Cinquefoil plant are edible in salad or cooked as a pot herb.
Cinquefoil Habitat and Description
Cinquefoil is a common perennial herb native to Eastern and Central North America. It is found growing in yards, dry open woods, on prairie hillsides, roadsides, and in old fields and waste places. (USDA Distriution Map)
Cinquefoil blooms from April throughout the summer and has small yellow flowers with five slightly notched petals. The name Five-leaf or Five Fingers refers to the palmately divided, toothed leaves.
In most Cinquefoils, stem-runners root at intervals and often attain a length of 5 feet or more, spreading over a wide area. The roots are long, slender rhizomes branched at the top from several crowns. However, Potentila recta , known as Rough Cinquefoil or Sulphur Cinquefoil has an erect stem up to two feet tall.
Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of Potentilla erecta - A traditional medicinal plant from the northern hemisphere.
CONCLUSIONS: PE displays anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive effects and might therefore be beneficial for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.
How to Grow and Use Cinquefoil
Cinquefoil is easily grown from seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun but tolerates shade in any moderately good well-drained soil. Sow seed early spring or autumn.
Harvest edible young shoots and leaves before flowers bloom for use as a vegetable
Gather the entire plant when in bloom. Dry or tincture for later herbal use.
Cinquefoil Folklore and History
Cinquefoil was an ingredient in many magic spells in the Middle Ages and was notably used as an herb in love potions.
Cinquefoil Herb Recipes
Tea: Herbal infusion of 1 oz. of the herb to a pint of boiling water.
Take 1 cup a day.
Decoction, 1 1/2 oz. of the root, boiled in a quart of water down to a pint.
