Tormentil for toothache and mouth ulcers

Tormentil or Common Tormentil, Potentilla erecta but possibly labeled as Tormentilla erecta or Potentilla tormentilla, is also known as Bloodroot, Shepherd’s Knot, Septfoil and Upright Septfoil.

There are several plants which may be confused with the tormentil I’m talking about in this post. The Spotted Cranesbill, Geranium maculata is sometimes called tormentil in the US. Other members of the Potentilla genus are also called tormentil, so it’s important to be sure which one you have, by reference to the latin name. The name bloodroot is also used for an unrelated herb native to Eastern North America.

Tormentil is a not particularly attractive hardy perennial found growing wild all over Europe and Asia in clearings, open fields and moorland, even on sand dunes (and gardens, if not weeded out), reaching a height of around a foot (30cm), and a spread of about 8 inches (20cm). It will grow in full sun or partial shade, and is not fussy as to soil so long as it is well drained.

The root is the part normally used for herbal medicine, and this should be gathered in Spring or Fall and dried for later use. However, the whole plant has the same useful properties (to a lesser degree), so if you don’t have any of the root (actually a rhizome) to hand, you can use the top growth instead.

A decoction is made with 15g (a half ounce) of dried root added to 570ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) of cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, and strain. An infusion would be made by adding 570ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) of boiling water to 3 handfuls of the plant and allowing to stand for 3-4 hours before straining.

Tormentil is best known as a toothache remedy, but can also be used to treat diarrhea and all intestinal problems, sore throat and bacterial infections, and to lower blood sugar. It can also be used externally to treat mouth ulcers, gum infections and hemorrhoids (piles). The juice can be used to stop bleeding (styptic), and to treat cracked nipples and cracks in the anus.

As with all herbs grown for medicinal use, tormentil should be grown organically to avoid adulterating or eliminating entirely its intrinsic properties by the presence of foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic tormentil visit the Gardenzone.

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