European Five-Finger Grass

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

European five-finger grass is an herb. The dried plant is used to make medicine.

People take European five-finger grass for diarrhea and fever.

European five-finger grass is sometimes applied directly to the affected area for swollen mouth and gums, toothache, and heartburn. It is also used to treat open wounds by helping to dry out the tissue.

Don't confuse European five-finger grass (Potentilla reptans) with dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis).

How does it work?

European five-finger grass contains chemicals called tannins that might help reduce skin inflammation and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Swollen mouth and gums, when applied directly to the affected area.
• Toothache, when applied directly to the affected area.
• Heartburn, when applied directly to the affected area.
• Wounds, when applied directly to the affected area.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate European five-finger grass for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

There isn't enough information available to know if European five-finger grass is safe or what the possible side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of European five-finger grass during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The appropriate dose of European five-finger grass depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for European five-finger grass. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.