European-Five Finger Grass (Potentilla reptans), also known as cinquefoil, has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine. Historically, it was employed as an astringent and was believed to help with various ailments, including diarrhea, sore throats, and inflammation. Its use for the bladder and urinary system specifically stems from its astringent properties, which were thought to help "tone" mucous membranes and reduce excessive discharge or irritation, possibly including that of the urinary tract. However, documentation of its use for bladder health is relatively sparse and generally falls under broader claims of supporting the "urinary organs" or "genitourinary system" rather than the bladder in particular.

Scientifically, there is little to no modern clinical research or pharmacological data directly supporting the effectiveness of European-Five Finger Grass for bladder health. Most evidence remains anecdotal or is extrapolated from its traditional role as an astringent. The herb contains tannins, which may have mild anti-inflammatory and astringent effects, but these properties have not been specifically validated in the context of bladder function or urinary tract health. Therefore, while its use is justified on the grounds of tradition, especially in European folk medicine, the supporting evidence is weak and lacks robust scientific validation.