Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Cinquefoil (Potentilla species) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, primarily in Europe and Asia. Traditional healers used various species of cinquefoil for their astringent, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. In folk medicine, the herb was sometimes used to manage conditions associated with fluid retention, including edema, though this was not one of its most prominent historical uses. The rationale for its traditional use in edema likely stems from its reputed mild diuretic effects, which could theoretically promote fluid excretion from the body. However, documentation of cinquefoil’s use specifically for edema is limited and not as robust as with some other herbs, such as dandelion or horsetail. From a scientific perspective, there is currently little to no clinical research directly supporting the efficacy of cinquefoil for treating or supporting edema. Phytochemical analyses reveal that cinquefoil contains tannins, flavonoids, and other polyphenols, which may contribute to its astringent and anti-inflammatory actions, but its diuretic effects have not been well studied in modern research. As such, its use for edema remains primarily based on tradition, with weak supporting evidence and no clinical validation.

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