Evidence supporting the use of: Potentilla
For the body system: Mucus Membranes
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Potentilla, a genus that includes species such as Potentilla erecta (tormentil), has a long history of traditional use in supporting the mucus membranes, particularly in European and Asian herbal medicine. Its use is primarily rooted in folk medicine, where various Potentilla species were employed for their astringent properties, attributed to their high tannin content. Traditionally, Potentilla preparations (infusions, decoctions, or tinctures) have been applied to treat inflammation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, conditions that involve mucus membranes. For example, tormentil root has been used as a gargle for sore throat and as an internal remedy for diarrhea, which indirectly involves the gut’s mucus lining.
Despite the traditional popularity, scientific validation is limited. Some pharmacological studies confirm the astringent and mild anti-inflammatory actions of Potentilla extracts, supporting their ability to reduce secretions and protect irritated tissues. However, direct clinical trials focusing specifically on Potentilla’s effects on mucus membranes are scarce. Reviews of medicinal plants in traditional European pharmacopeias note Potentilla’s use for oral and gastrointestinal discomfort, but these observations are largely anecdotal or based on historical texts rather than modern clinical evidence.
In summary, Potentilla’s use to support the mucus membranes is justified by tradition, with modest pharmacological plausibility, but lacks strong scientific or clinical evidence.
Other ingredients that support Mucus Membranes
AcaciaAcemannan
Adenophora
Agastache
Agrimony
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alchornea
Allicin
Aloe vera
Arisaema
arrowroot
asarabacca
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
Baccharis dracunculifolia
bael
bai ji
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Barleria
barley
basil
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benzoin
beta-carotene
bethroot
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bird\'s nest
bistort
black seed
blackberry
Bletilla
boneset
borage
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
broccoli
Bryonia
butterbur
cajuput
Calendula
cantaloupe
capsicum
cardamom
carotene (unspecified)
carvacrol
catechu
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
ceramides
chamomile
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chondrus
cineole
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
clove
cod liver oil
Collinsonia
colloidal silver
colostrum
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cornflower
cowslip
cranesbill
cubeb
dandelion
devil\'s club
Echinacea
Elder
elecampane
elephant\'s head
ellagitannin
English elm
English horsemint
eucalyptus
Eucheuma
European Elder
European field elm
European five-finger grass
Eyebright
fireweed
flavanones
flavonones
fleabane
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Gambir
Gigartina
Glechoma hederacea
Gleditsia
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycosaminoglycans
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
goldthread
Grindelia
Guaco
Gumweed
heal-all
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Heliopsis
herbal blend (proprietary)
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian ipecac
Jaboticaba
Kefiran
L-cysteine
L-threonine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus jensenii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Large-leaved linden
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
licorice root
Ligusticum
linden
lobelia
Lomatium
loquat
luffa
lungwort
lysozyme
Mahonia
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marshmallow
Matico
Meadowsweet
Menthol oil
Methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
Mimosa
Mineral ascorbate
Mint
mixed carotenoids
Monardella odoratissima
Moss
Mountain horopito
Mucilage
Mucin
Mugwort
Mullein
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl-glucosamine
N-acetylneuraminic acid
Nasturtium
Nettle
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Nigella seed
okra
olive
omega-7 fatty acids
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregon grape
Osha
Panthenol
pear
Pelargonium
Pellitory
perilla
Persimmon
Phenylpropanoids
Pinellia ternata
Plantago
plantain
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plectranthus amboinicus
Polygonatum
Portulaca
Potentilla
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propolis
Pseudostellaria
Pulsatilla
purple loosestrife
raspberry
ravinsara
red root
red soapwort
Rhus glabra
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rosa californica
rose
rose oil
rosmarinic acid
Rumex acetosa
Sabadilla
sage
Sambucus nigra
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Serrapeptase
Sidalcea glaucescens
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Speedwell
Spilanthes
Stemona
Stillingia
Storax
Streptococcus salivarius
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Tannins
Terminalia
Teucrium marum
Thuja
thyme
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tragacanth
Tremella
Tylophora
Ulmus
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Veronica
Viola
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
White Dead Nettle Flower
White oak
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc