COMMON NAME :Rough-fruited Cinquefoil, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Sulphur Five-fingers, Tormentil Root, Five Finger Grass, Five Leaf Grass, Septifoil, Sulphur Cinquefoil

ELEMENT : Fire

RULING PLANET : Jupiter

GENDER : Masculine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Money, Protection, Prophetic dreams, Sleep

DESCRIPTION : Rough-fruited cinquefoil is a herbaceous perennial, erect and hairy with sparse, flat-topped clusters of pale yellow flowers. The flowers appear June through September. They grow opposite the leaves or at branching points on the stem. Flower stalks are long and slender. The flowers are 3/4 inch (2cm) wide and are notched. There are usually 5 petals and 5 sepals and numerous stamens and pistils. The calyx is cut into four lanceolate, pale-green, hairy segments. The plant grows 1-2 feet tall.

The leaves are palmately compound and divided into 5-7 blunt tipped, toothed leaflets that are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long. The leaflets are small, obovate to lanceolate, hairy, dark green above and paler below. The lower leaves are alternate and short-stalked.

The root has a bitter taste.

Fruit is nut-like and hard, ovate, grooved and smooth.

There are many varieties of Cinquefoil.

CULTIVATION : Rough-fruited Cinquefoil does well in full sun to part shade and will put up with a variety of garden soils as long as it is well drained.

It may be found growing wild on roadsides and in dry fields from Ontario to Nova Scotia; south from New England to Virginia; west to Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas.

Hardy to Zones 4-8

PART OF THE PLANT USED : The rhizome of Rough-fruited Cinquefoil is collected in spring. The leaves may be collected anytime.

PLANT ANALYSIS : This plant contains 15-20% tannins, catchins, ellagitannins and a phlobaphene.

MEDICINAL ACTION : Cinquefoil is considered astringent, febrifuge, and tonic.

MEDICINAL USE : Uses for cinquefoil include : diarrhea, flu, seborrhea, and skin problems that respond to astringent action. It makes a bitter gargle for sore throats, ulcerated mouth and throat, and bleeding gums. Other uses include : irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerative colitis and rectal bleeding.

For external use, boil the root in vinegar and apply to hard flesh such as corns to soften them. Make an ointment or lotion with the root to relieve hemorrhoids or staunch wounds and to help heal burned skin.

Use a decoction of leaves for an eyewash for red, running eyes.

For ulcerated sores, use a compress made of an infusion of leaves.

The tannic acid found in cinquefoil accounts for the the effectiveness as an astringent agent to stop bleeding.

Cinquefoil can be use in facial lotions and herbal baths because of its cosmetic astringent properties.

A tea infusion may be used for relief of cramps.

DOSAGE : Use 1 tablespoon of crushed rhizome to 1 cup boiling water. Let steep. Take 3-5 tablespoons a day.

For a decoction boil 1 ounce of root bark in 1 1/2 cups water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Take 1/4 of a cup 2-3 times a day.

When used as a tincture use 20-40 drops per day.

MAGICKAL USE :Add an infusion of Cinquefoil to ritual baths for purification.

You will find eloquence and protection when wearing leaves or rhizome in an amulet.

The five petals of the Cinquefoil flower symbolize love, power, wisdom, health and abundance.

For protection of home and property, poke a hole in an egg and drain the contents. Add an infusion of Cinquefoil and cover the hole with tape.

Cinquefoil was and is used in rites of the Spring Equinox in Celtic festivals.

This plant is said to bring sense of communication and awareness with the maternal aspect of all nature. When used as ingredient in magick, Cinquefoil brings a balance to energy and helps intent to manifest.

HISTORY : The Latin Potentilla translates as "little powerful one."

The name Cinquefoil is from the Old French meaning "five leaf."

Theophrastus, student of Aristotle and Greek naturalist, is said to be the first to describe the plant.

Hippocrates used Tormentil to treat malaria.

John Gerard advised taking water used to cool hot steel from metal smith's shops and mix in powdered Tormentil root.

For a painful tooth, herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended using the root of Cinquefoil.

It is listed in the oldest surviving western herbal by Greek Dioscorides. He recommended using three leaves for three days. If the problem recurred on the fourth day, he suggested four leaves with three spiders mixed in.

A native plant of Europe, Potentilla erecta, common name Tormentil, was brought to America by European fishing fleets as an important medicinal herb. The roots were given for colic. The Latin for colic is tormina. The uses of this plant were transferred to native Potentillas of America.

Medieval knights used the five fingered leaf shape on their shields to symbolize the five senses. The right to use this heraldic device was given to those knights that achieved self mastery.

In the Middle Ages, Cinquefoil was thought of as magickal, and was said to be found in many witches brews and spells. It is one ingredient of many in flying ointments. There are no narcotic properties to this plant, so its use in flying ointments is most likely due to a magickal quality.

Cinquefoil was used by Laplanders to make red dye for leather.

Mexicans chewed the root to clean and strengthen teeth.

During famines, roots were boiled to use as a vegetable. They had to be boiled for long time to make them palatable.

LORE : The five points of the leaves represent health, money, love, wisdom and power. Carry the leaves with you to gain these attributes.

For restful and protected sleep, hang Cinquefoil above your bed.

An infusion of leaves is said to remove hexes.

Cinquefoil was used in love potions.

Fishermen put a sprig in their nets for bigger catches.

To dream of your future lover, find a sprig of Cinquefoil and place it under your pillow.

Cinquefoil may be burnt as an incense to bring dreams of one's perfect partner.

For eloquence and granting of a favor, carry a sprig in your pocket.

Hang a sprig above the door to bless and protect your home.

Harvest this plant beneath the Full Moon at midnight, or on a Wednesday night as it changes to Thursday beneath a waxing moon.

To guarantee a protected journey for friends, press a five lobed leaf between the pages of a book to be given to the travelers as a gift.