Synopsis

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

European-Five Finger Grass (Potentilla reptans), also known as cinquefoil, has a long history of use in European traditional herbal medicine. It has been employed for a variety of ailments, particularly those involving inflammation, wounds, and skin conditions. The use of cinquefoil for carbuncles—a cluster of boils caused by bacterial infection—can be traced to old European herbals, where it was applied externally in poultices or washes to "draw out infection" or reduce swelling.

However, this application is based on folkloric tradition rather than scientific validation. The plant is rich in tannins, which possess astringent properties and may help dry out skin lesions and reduce minor inflammation. Despite these properties, there is no modern clinical or pharmacological research specifically demonstrating the effectiveness of cinquefoil for treating carbuncles. No controlled studies or robust case reports support its use for this condition, and it is not recognized in contemporary medical practice for this purpose.

In summary, the application of European-Five Finger Grass for carbuncles is rooted in historical herbalism, with weak supporting evidence. It reflects the general tradition of using astringent herbs for skin infections, but lacks scientific support or substantiated efficacy for this condition.

More about European five-finger grass
More about Carbuncles

Other ingredients used for Carbuncles

Other health conditions supported by European five-finger grass

Products containing European five-finger grass