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The properties of this herb were successfully used by healers and healers in the Middle Ages to treat various diseases and were even immortalized in legends. A legend has come down to our days that the smell of the roots of a goose foot that grew near a spring, from which Ilya Muromets, tired from endless lying on the stove, decided to get drunk, inspired him to defeat the Nightingale the Robber.
Of the many species of this plant, goose cinquefoil is the most popular, recognized not only by folk, but also by scientific medicine as a reliable biologically active agent for external and internal use.
This unique plant, known as the goose burdock, convulsive grass, toad, paw, flatbread, martyn’s hand and caterpillar, cures a whole bunch of diseases. In addition to anticonvulsant action, it has the ability to stop bleeding. Potentilla goose is one of the ingredients of the Bashkir balm “Kapova Cave” and is widely used in home magic for purification and protection from evil spirits.
General characteristics
The Latin name for goose cinquefoil is Roteptilla anserina L. A perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Rosaceae (rosaceae) family is distinguished by a thick and short rhizome and creeping “whiskers”, the shoots of which can reach a length of up to 70 centimeters.
Goose grass is widespread throughout the temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere (in the European and post-Soviet space), with the exception of high mountain regions. It prefers moist soil and bright light, rooting extensively near bodies of water, housing, and grazing areas. The plant covers the meadows with a luxurious carpet and is easily recognized by its oblong and smooth green leaves, characteristically pubescent with hairs.
During the flowering period from May to August, the plant looks incredibly attractive due to the towering and pleasantly smelling yellowish-golden flowers that grow from the axils of the leaves. The honey plant flower consists of five petals, and the fruits of goose cinquefoil are clusters of dry achene. Due to its beauty, the plant has found application in landscape design, in particular, it is widely used in decorating alpine slides.
Collection and Procurement
All parts of the plant, including the herb, flowers, seeds, and rhizome, have medicinal uses. The collection of goose grass begins with the beginning of its flowering in May and lasts until its completion in August. Grass collection is carried out away from the roads. Dry it in the shade or special dryers, as well as in well-ventilated areas.
Potentilla seeds begin to be collected after fruit ripening, around the end of August, and the rhizome is dug up in early spring or autumn, after the ground part of the plant has dried.
Under the right storage conditions (in boxes, in well-ventilated areas), the fees do not lose their medicinal properties for two years.
Chemical composition and calorific value
Potentilla has a unique composition of biologically active components, the full spectrum of which has not yet been fully studied. In addition to vitamins and microelements, in particular, choline and zinc, the plant contains organic and fatty acids, essential oils and glycosides with carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, rhamnose), as well as bitterness.
The leaves of the plant contain more than 220 mg of vitamin C, up to 30 mg of carotene, as well as ellagic acid (coumarins), tannins, flavonoids and leukoanthocyanidins.
Potentilla rhizome is also rich in ascorbic acid (more than 105 mg). The roots of the plant contain pigments and quinic acid, as well as a fairly large amount of protein and starch, which leads to its use, in addition to medicine, also in cooking. The presence of tannins (up to 25%) in the leaves and rhizome of Potentilla, as well as flavonoids, make it possible to use the plant for tanning leather and as a dye.
The nutritional value of dry raw materials (crushed flowers, leaves, stems and roots of the plant) is about 140 kcal per 100 g. If we talk about nutrients, their content is as follows: 20 g of proteins, 5,1 g of fat and 6,9 g carbohydrates.
If we talk about microelements in dry raw materials, then these are, first of all, potassium (6,1 mg) and calcium (7,4 mg). The first is necessary in order to keep the heart muscle in good shape and normalize the heart rate. In addition, it has antihistamine properties, alleviating allergies, and helps maintain water balance in the body. Calcium is also responsible for the condition of bone and dental tissue. Its deficiency negatively affects the condition of the skin and hair. Calcium is also necessary for normal blood clotting and normalization of the nervous system.
Magnesium (2,5 mg), together with calcium, is responsible for the structure of bone tissue and its strength. Its deficiency “hit” the kidneys and digestive system. This element is needed in order to help the body cope with stressful situations and emotional overload. In addition, magnesium is a prophylactic against the appearance of stones in the kidneys and gallbladder.
Zinc (2,02 mg) helps improve skin condition, prevent inflammation, flaking, and allergic reactions. It also normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Its deficiency leads to insomnia, increased nervousness, panic attacks.
Copper (1 mg) is needed to prevent anemia. In addition, this element prevents the development of depressive conditions, helps with nervous overload, and has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
Cobalt (0,96 mg) is necessary for the normalization of the blood formula, since without it the formation of red blood cells is impossible. It also participates in the normalization of the activity of the pancreas, stimulating the production of enzymes.
Use in medicine of the peoples of the world
The healing properties of goose cinquefoil have long been successfully used by traditional healers of different peoples in the treatment of a huge number of ailments.
Tibetan and Mongolian healers were well aware of the antiseptic properties of this herb, with which they treated gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea and dyspepsia, as well as acne and uteroptosis.
Bulgarian physicians healed stomach ulcers and catarrhs, herpes with goose grass and used it to treat dysentery, women’s diseases and in severe pregnancy.
Karelian healers used convulsive herb to treat a whole “bouquet” of diseases. It has been used to treat sore throats and cracked lips, tuberculosis, gastritis, migraines, arthritis, rheumatism, and for bruises and snake bites.
In the folk medicine of Hungary, they knew about the property of the toad to purify the blood and help with depression, neurosis and epilepsy, as well as with headaches and toothaches, swelling and diseases of the joints.
German healers offered decoctions of herbs for diarrhea and colic, muscle cramps, various kinds of internal bleeding and painful menstruation.
Ukrainian healers used goose grass to treat tetanus.
The Indians used this plant to treat jaundice.
Bulgarians, Hungarians and Romanians have successfully used cinquefoil to treat the endocrine system.
Recipes of traditional medicine
As noted above, cinquefoil is widely used in folk medicine as a component of decoctions and infusions intended for the treatment of a variety of ailments.
With diseases of the digestive tract
Pour 20 g of crushed rhizomes and herbs with a liter of boiling water. Filter after an hour. Take three times a day for ¾ cup. The duration of the course is from 14 days to a month.
For the treatment of wounds
Boil 250-20 grams of chopped herbs in 30 ml of water for twenty minutes. Filter the finished mass and use for compresses. It can also be used as a rinse for bleeding gums.
With tuberculosis
Pour 20 g of grass with 200 ml of water. Boil over low heat for a quarter of an hour, and filter after two hours. Take three times a day before meals.
With urolithiasis and gallstone disease
Mix equal amounts of fresh cinquefoil juice with fresh green rye juice. It should be taken three times a day, 15 ml.
For uterine bleeding
Pour 10 g of cinquefoil with a liter of boiling water. Simmer in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. Take three times a day for half a glass. Please note that this is the adult dose. Young girls should take 50 ml.
For painful menstruation
Pour 5-10 g of seeds into 250 ml of milk. Boil for five minutes, then filter. Take twice a day for half a glass.
With diarrhea
Pour 10 g of crushed rhizomes with 250 ml of boiling water. Boil over low heat for a quarter of an hour. Let it brew for twenty minutes, then filter. Take two tablespoons four times a day.
With increased pressure
Pour 30 g of ground stems, roots and flowers of Potentilla with a glass of boiling water. Filter after eight hours. Take two-thirds of a glass three times a day, before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If hypertension is still at the initial stage, another decoction should be prepared that will help stabilize pressure indicators. 10 g of crushed leaves and grass stems pour 200 ml of boiling water. After eight hours, filter and take 100 ml half an hour before breakfast and before dinner.
Medicinal properties
The popularity of goose grass among healers of different nations is due to a wide range of useful properties of this plant.
Due to its antispasmodic and analgesic properties, the extract of this herb is able to reduce the tone of smooth muscles. This allows him to relax the muscles of the esophagus and uterus, as well as the biliary tract. Therefore, preparations based on this plant are useful for intestinal colic, exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer, colitis, as well as for painful periods.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of Potentilla as an antiseptic and wound healing agent. Preparations based on this herb have proven themselves well for the treatment of a number of dermatological problems: furunculosis, eczema, acne. Compresses with a decoction of this plant contribute to the healing of purulent wounds, reduce pain from bruises. Also, a decoction of convulsive grass is useful for bleeding gums. It can be used as a rinse to neutralize bad breath and also prevent the spread of infection.
Due to the bitterness present in its composition, cinquefoil stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and bile. Therefore, it is useful in diseases of the liver and the presence of stones in the gallbladder.
Tannins endow cinquefoil with hemostatic properties. Therefore, a decoction of the rhizome of this plant is useful for heavy periods, as it helps to reduce blood loss.
A decoction of the rhizome of this herb helps with diarrhea due to its astringent properties.
Potentilla is a strong diuretic. A decoction of it is recommended for use in cystitis, nephritis, the presence of sand in the kidneys. In addition, due to the removal of excess fluid from the body, cinquefoil effectively fights edema.
Potentilla decoction baths have excellent tonic properties, help with overwork, but at the same time help to relax and get out of a stressful state with insomnia.
Potentilla is often called a convulsive herb because it helps with convulsions of various etiologies. Often it is used to prepare a decoction intended to treat nervous suffocation and cramps in the calf muscles. The herb is one of the components of the so-called “anticonvulsant collection”, which is used for baths for babies.
Use in cooking
It is noteworthy that cinquefoil is used not only in medicine, but also in cooking. Fresh leaves and shoots are added to salads and soups. In dried form, crushed leaves and roots are used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes due to their tart taste. Potentilla is present in many dishes of the national English cuisine.
In addition, flour is prepared from the roots of goose grass. They are pre-soaked for several days so that the bitterness characteristic of this plant is gone, and then dried and crushed. The finished powder is mixed with rye flour and used for baking bread. Potentilla roots are also consumed fried as an independent dish.
Cooking green soup from Potentilla
You will need the following ingredients: one kilogram of a mixture of different greens: sorrel, nettle, goose cinquefoil, spinach, wild garlic, parsley, green onions, etc. in any proportions. For the broth: 1 kg of veal brisket, one carrot, one onion, bay leaf. For dressing: six potatoes, one carrot, three hard-boiled eggs, mustard, horseradish, mayonnaise and sour cream.
Rinse the meat, place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, remove the foam. Reduce the fire, salt, add bay leaf, carrots and onions. Boil for one and a half hours.
Pour greens with cold water and let stand for twenty minutes. After that, rinse thoroughly, dry and cut. If you use nettles, then do not forget to scald it with boiling water first.
Peel potatoes and carrots and cut into cubes. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise, remove the yolks and rub with mayonnaise, horseradish and mustard, then stuff the squirrels with this mixture.
Remove meat and seasonings from broth. Strain the broth, put on fire and bring to a boil, then add vegetables. Please note that they should be thrown into the pan at five-minute intervals in the following sequence: first potatoes, then carrots, then nettles. After a quarter of an hour, add the rest of the greens, and after five minutes, remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle cabbage soup with parsley or green onions, add sour cream. Stuffed eggs are placed on a plate with cabbage soup before serving.
Contraindications for use
Since cinquefoil is a herb with a high biological activity, it should be used responsibly.
First of all, due to the property of the plant to lower blood pressure indicators, it should be used with caution by hypotensive patients. Also, the use of cinquefoil is not recommended for increased blood clotting.
For those who have been diagnosed with kidney stones, the use of cinquefoil-based products should be very careful, as large stones can get stuck in the ureter when exiting.
In addition, goose grass can irritate the gastric mucosa, so its use in any form should be abandoned during exacerbation of gastritis.
Many are interested in the answer to the question of whether it is possible to take drugs based on cinquefoil during pregnancy. Formally, there is no ban on the use of decoctions and infusions of this herb. However, you should consult your doctor first, as goose grass is a plant with a high biological activity.
But for nursing mothers, it is better to refuse cinquefoil preparations so as not to provoke an allergic reaction in the newborn.