Evidence supporting the use of: Cinquefoil
For the health condition: Afterbirth Pain

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Synopsis

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

Cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.) has been traditionally used in various folk medicine systems, particularly in Europe, as a remedy for women’s reproductive health issues, including afterbirth pain (the uterine cramps that occur after childbirth as the womb contracts back to its normal size). Historical herbal texts, such as those from medieval and early modern periods, mention cinquefoil as an astringent and a uterine tonic. It was sometimes included in postnatal teas or infusions intended to ease discomfort and promote recovery after delivery. The presumed mechanism was its tannin content, believed to have astringent and anti-inflammatory effects.

However, there is little to no modern scientific research specifically validating cinquefoil’s efficacy for afterbirth pain. No clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly address this use, and major modern herbal reference texts rarely mention cinquefoil for postpartum pain. The evidence for its use in this context is primarily anecdotal and rooted in traditional practice rather than scientific validation. As such, the strength of evidence is very low (1/5), based solely on historical use rather than on contemporary research or clinical data.

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