Silverweed
Botanical name
Potentilla anserina L. (Syn. Argentina anserina L. Rydb.)
Family
Rosaceae
Common name
Common silverweed, Silverweed cinquefoil
Information about the plant
Potentilla anserina L. is highly diverse, occurring in two subspecies, ssp. egedii and ssp. anserina, the latter with several varieties and forms, and distributed throughout the temperate and cold zones of the entire Northern Hemisphere. It grows there in pastures, meadows, and along roadsides. The genus name Potentilla can probably be traced back to the Latin ‘potentia’ (= power), followed by the diminutive suffix ‘-illa’. This refers to the healing power attributed to several species in the sense of ‘small, medicinal herb’. However, this explanation is unconfirmed. The species epithet anserina is directly translated from Latin (Latin ‘anserinus’ = goose-like, ‘anser’ = goose). This alludes to the fact that the plant grows in goose fields and pastures and is also consumed by geese.
Silverweed cinquefoil, P. anserina ssp. anserina, is a perennial with a basal rosette of pinnate leaves up to 20 cm long, with 5 to 25 alternate or opposite pairs of leaflets. Depending on the variety or form, the individual leaflets mostly have white silky hairs on both sides, are narrow and elongated, and have deeply serrated margins. The stem leaves, which are also pinnate, are much smaller. The flowering shoots, largely leafless, creep along the ground and can extend up to 80 cm in length. Small rootlets sprout from their nodes, holding the flowering shoots to the ground. The flower stalks also form in these nodes, each with a bright yellow flower at the end. The flowers are 1.5 to 3 cm in diameter and have five, rarely four, petals, which are twice as long as the sepals; in the center—as is characteristic of the rose family—there are numerous (up to 20) stamens around the carpels. Flowering time is from May to August.
Medicinally used parts of plants (herbal drug)
The herb, harvested shortly before flowering or at flowering time, is used and consists of leaves, flowers, and flower stalks (Anserinae herba).
The commercially available drug comes from Hungary, Croatia, and Poland.
Constituents of the herbal drug
Silverweed contains tannins (mainly ellagitannins) and flavonoids.
Quality of the drug
The quality of Anserinae herba is specified in the German Drug Codex (DAC).
Medical applications
Recognised medical use
Silverweed has not yet been evaluated by the HMPC or ESCOP.
Traditional use
Silverweed has not been classed as a traditional medicinal product (Article 16a of Directive 2001/83/EC).
Herbal drug preparations in finished dosage forms
- Cut silverweed for tea preparation
- Dry extracts in coated tablets
- Alcoholic extracts in drops
Dosage
Finished medicinal product: see patient information leaflet.
Tea: Drink a cup of silverweed tea several times a day between meals. Daily dose 4 to 6 g of the drug. The tea can also be used as a mouth rinse or gargle.
Preparation of a tea
Pour approximately 150ml of boiling water over 2g of finely chopped silverweed and strain after 10 minutes.
Notes
No safety studies are available on the use of silverweed during pregnancy and lactation. The use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended due to a lack of evidence.
Side effects
Symptoms of irritable stomach can be exacerbated.
Interactions
None known.