Potentilla anserina (Argentina anserina): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Potentilla anserina relieve menstrual cramps?

Potentilla anserina exerts its antispasmodic effects primarily through its high tannin and flavonoid content. These compounds help relax smooth muscle tissue in the uterus, reducing the intensity of spasms associated with menstrual cramps. The presence of tormentoside further contributes to this muscle-relaxing action. While the exact molecular pathway requires further clinical study (Evidence Level C), traditional use strongly supports its efficacy in soothing uterine discomfort and reducing menstrual pain.

Is Potentilla anserina safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Potentilla anserina is considered unsafe during pregnancy. Traditional evidence suggests the herb can stimulate uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor. While it has been used historically to facilitate childbirth near term, it should be strictly avoided during earlier stages of pregnancy. Due to insufficient safety data and known uterine effects (Evidence Level C), pregnant women are advised to avoid this herb entirely unless directed by a qualified healthcare provider.

What is the recommended dosage for Potentilla anserina?

For adults, the standard therapeutic dosage involves 3 to 6 grams of the dried herb prepared as a tea, or 2 to 3 milliliters of liquid tincture taken three times daily. To prepare the tea, steep the dried herb in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure proper extraction of active compounds. Dosages for children are not well-established (Evidence Level C), so professional guidance is recommended before pediatric use.

Does silverweed interact with any medications?

Due to its significant tannin content, Potentilla anserina may interfere with the absorption of certain medications, particularly alkaloids and minerals like iron. Tannins can bind to drugs in the digestive tract, reducing their bioavailability and effectiveness. It is generally recommended to separate the intake of silverweed preparations and pharmaceutical drugs by at least two hours. Currently, specific clinical trial data on interactions is lacking (Evidence Level D), so caution is advised.

Can Potentilla anserina be used to treat diarrhea?

Yes, Potentilla anserina is traditionally used to treat acute diarrhea. The herb's high tannin content acts as an intestinal astringent, helping to reduce inflammation and fluid secretion within the digestive tract. This action helps firm stools and provides relief from gastrointestinal upset. While supported by traditional use and pharmacological plausibility (Evidence Level C), users should be cautious, as excessive consumption can lead to constipation.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Potentilla anserina (silverweed cinquefoil) is a perennial herb used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine as both a food and a medicinal resource [PMID:38909825, PMID:36717756]. It is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant properties [PMID:34288682, PMID:40636944].

Contexte

Potentilla anserina L. (Rosaceae), also known as silverweed cinquefoil or ginseng fruit, is a plant widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and western areas of China [PMID:38855725, PMID:34288682, PMID:37528998]. It is characterized as a clonal polyploid herb [PMID:39716778].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used in Chinese and Tibetan medicine to invigorate the spleen and stomach, quench thirst, tonify blood, astringe to stop bleeding, relieve diarrhea, and treat spleen deficiency [PMID:38909825, PMID:37528998]. It has also been used in folk medicine as an antitussive and expectorant [PMID:26695537].

Composés actifs

Active constituents include polysaccharides [PMID:39922353], flavonoids such as (+)-catechin, (+)-gallocatechin, and various quercetin and kaempferol glycosides [PMID:17238103], phenols [PMID:36717756], and pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins (e.g., poterinasides A-J and potentillanosides A-F) [PMID:34288682, PMID:24697904].

Mécanisme d'action

Polysaccharides (PAP) reduce inflammatory levels and M1 macrophage immune responses in acute lung injury [PMID:39922353] and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, VEGF, NF-κB, and HIF-1α) in hypobaric hypoxia models [PMID:34243609, PMID:32298011]. Flavonoids (PAF) modulate oxidative stress via the kelch-like ECH-associated protein pathway, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and restore intestinal microbiota balance [PMID:40636944]. Phenols improve insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by promoting Akt phosphorylation and suppress adipokine expression to decrease lipid droplet accumulation [PMID:36717756].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DGastrointestinal disorders (indigestion/spasmodic complaints)

A combination extract containing silverweed (Gastritol Liquid) led to relevant improvements in vomiting (-66.7%) and retching (-52.2%) in patients with and without diabetes [PMID:26522087]

Preuve DAcute Lung Injury (ALI)

Polysaccharides (PAP) effectively reduced inflammatory levels and intestinal mucosal barrier impairment in LPS-induced mouse models [PMID:39922353]

Preuve DUlcerative Colitis (UC)

Flavonoids (PAF) mitigated weight loss, blood in stool, and diarrhea in DSS-induced colitis mice [PMID:40636944]

Preuve DCough and mucus

Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides significantly inhibited cough frequency and showed expectorant activity in mice and guinea pigs [PMID:26695537]

Preuve DHepatotoxicity

Triterpenes (potentillanoside A, rosamutin, kaji-ichigoside F1) exhibited in vivo hepatoprotective effects in mice [PMID:24697904]

Preuve D

Sécurité et effets indésirables

An acute toxicity study in mice using a maximum dose of 345.6 g/kg crude drug extract showed no toxic symptoms, with normal body weight, food intake, and organ function [PMID:32352405]. In a human non-interventional study of a combination product containing silverweed, adverse events were reported in 7 patients, including temporary nausea, gastric spasm, and oral burning sensation [PMID:26522087].

Synthèse des preuves

The majority of evidence is derived from in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory and protective effects. There is limited human data, consisting primarily of a non-interventional study on a multi-herb combination [PMID:26522087].

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 38855725 (2023) — The genome sequence of the silverweed cinquefoil, Potentilla anserina L., 1753. · Wellcome open research
2.PMID: 39922353 (2025) — Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharide ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury and relevant intestinal mucosal barrier impairment. · International journal of biological macromolecules
3.PMID: 38909825 (2024) — A systematic review on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Potentilla anserina L. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 40636944 (2025) — Potentilla anserina L. flavonoids ameliorate ulcerative colitis by modulating oxidative stress, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, and inflammatory responses. · 3 Biotech
5.PMID: 32352405 (2020) — Acute toxicity of Potentilla anserina L. extract in mice.

Potentilla anserina

Sources et citations

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