Tormentilla

Tormentilla, Potentilla tormentilla Schr., Potentilla silvestris Necker, Potentilla erecta L.-Potentilla officinalis Curt., a perennial herbaceous plant of the rose family, growing wild in meadows, among bushes and in forests throughout almost all of Europe to the Urals, but not found in the south. For medical purposes, the rhizome (tormentilla root, binding root, Rhizoma Tormentillae, Radix Tormentillae, s. Consolidae rubrae) is used. The dried rhizome is cylindrical in shape, 2-7 cm long, 1-2 cm thick, dark reddish-brown in color, odorless (fresh gives off a faint rose scent), with a strongly astringent taste. It is stored in cut pieces or in the form of coarse and fine powder. Components: traces of essential oil, resin, gum, tannins from 15% to 20% (Acid tormentiltannic, C13H28O12), chinic acid, ellagic acid, C13H28O12, coloring substance. It was formerly used as a decoction of 5-20 g per 100 g in cases of diarrhea, as well as in the form of extract, tincture and syrup; now it is used as an astringent, particularly as an additive to tooth powders and mouthwashes. The root is used in Scotland for tanning leather and for red leather in Lapland.