Argentina (Potentilla) aerial part cut – Potentilla anserina

Belonging to the Rosaceae family, this small perennial plant is recognizable by its silvery pinnate leaves on the underside and its yellow flowers. It grows in damp meadows and paths. Very old in the folk herbal tradition, it is today sought after for its gentle and adaptable plant profile.

Description

The aerial parts consist of stems, leaves, and flowers, finely chopped and then dried. They retain a pale green to light brown color and give off a slight herbaceous odor. They can be used alone or in combination with other sweet plants.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Argentinian cinquefoil, gooseweed, gooseweed
• Latin name: Potentilla anserina
• Family: Rosaceae
• Part used: Aerial part
• Form: Cut, dried
• Origin: Europe, temperate Asia
• English name: Silverweed
• Name in German: Gänsefingerkraut
• Spanish name: Potentila ansarina
• Name in Italian: Potentilla
• Name in Arabic: عشبة الإوزة (ʿUshbat al-Iwzah)

Main virtues

Used as an infusion for its herbal sweetness, Argentina is a plant often found in traditional artisanal preparations or popular herbal recipes. It is also used in baths or compresses.

Main constituents

Tannins, flavonoids, ellagic acid, saponins, traces of volatile oils.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 to 2 tablespoons for 250 ml of simmering water, infuse for 10 min.
• Baths: concentrated decoction for sitz or foot baths.
• Compresses: apply a warm decoction to clean linen.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• None known at traditional recommended doses.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Store away from light, in a dry, closed container.

History and origin

Widely used in the countryside of Central Europe, Argentine was considered an everyday plant for rural families. It was notably used in evening infusions or artisanal skin care products. It appears in several ancient herbal medicine collections.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: opaque glass jar or resealable kraft bag.
• Packaging: bulk, metal box or resealable bag.
• Appearance: fragments of stems, leaves, dried flowers.
• Odor: vegetal, sweet, slightly earthy.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• References in traditional European herbalism
• Botanical texts on medicinal Rosaceae
• Popular ethnobotanical corpus

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