Tormentil extract, obtained from the root of the tormentil plant (Potentilla tormentilla), is a potent procyanidin considered to be an excellent herbal astringent and for this and other reasons is often used in cosmetic creams, lotions, hair tonics and facial clays. Tormentil extract is formulated in PHYTO5’s Eye Cream.
Procyanidins are polyphenols (plant compounds) and natural antioxidants abundant in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and grains with a variety of chemopreventive biological effects in treating a variety of degenerative diseases. Within polyphenols, procyanidins are derived from proanthocyanidins, also known as condensed tannins. Procyanidins from tormentil possess potent antioxidant properties towards lipoperoxidation(2) and anti-elastase activity(3).
In other words, 1) tormentil’s procyanidins help prevent the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from cell membrane lipids resulting in cell damage, and 2) they inhibit elastase activity in the dermis layer to maintain skin elasticity.
Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural bxeauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique holistic beauty tips and offers.
The name tormentil is derived from the Latin tormentum meaning pain because it symbolized the plant’s potential for relieving stomach aches very long ago. But the plant is also known simply as potentilla, the four- and five-petaled golden yellow flowering plant that belongs to the rose family. (The first time it blooms each year have five petals and then four petals bloom thereafter.)
The yellowish-white rootstock of the plant, the rhizome, grows powerfully (the name Potentilla itself means ‘powerful’), irregularly and horizontally with long branching stems underground and the plant sprouts stems above ground in the Spring sunshine. When the rhizome is cut, its yellowish-white color turns to intense red and the fragrance released resembles that of the rose.
In tormentil’s rhizome are more tannins than can be found in almost any other plant and these tannins are very astringent (skin tightening). For this reason, tormentil is a potent anti-hemorrhagic (stops minor bleeding) and is also very smoothing to skin. Tannin rich tormentil also helps reduce enlarged pores. It can also help speed healing of wounds, burns and frostbite.
Because of tormentil’s mild antibacterial properties, its extract is used for dental or oral care.
Tormentil extract is also widely known for its ability to treat hemorrhoids and acute and chronic-inflammatory types of diarrhea like Colitis ulcerosa.
Tormentil was used as a cholera and plague remedy in the Middle Ages and later was very well regarded by the Elizabethans. But tormentil was known even before those times for its healing abilities. Polymath Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) prescribed tormentil quite frequently for healing purposes, writing the following in her renowned tome, Physica:
“Tormentil is cold. Its coldness is good and healthy and prevails against fevers which arise from noxious food. Take tormentil and cook it in wine, with a little honey added. Strain it through a cloth, and drink it frequently at night, on an empty stomach, and you will become well.”
Modern day polymath Alexander McCowan in “Plant of the Week: Common treatment for cholera and plague used for stomach problems” writes this about tormentil in his October 2020 article published by Cyprus Mail (see citation below):
“The plant forms a protective coating over the mucous membranes and has been used by herbalists for centuries to treat diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, enteric irritations, vaginal infections, piles, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, slow healing wounds and scrofula (swollen lymphatic gland of the neck).”
#####
Endnotes:
(1)Tannins (commonly referred to as tannic acid) are water-soluble polyphenols that are present in many plant foods. Tannins possess an anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potentials of that may be related to their antioxidative property, which is important in protecting cellular oxidative damage, including lipid peroxidation(2).
(2) Lipid peroxidaton: the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage
(3) Elastase is a proteinase enzyme that can reduce elastin by dividing specific peptide bonds. Therefore, the inhibition of elastase activity in the dermis layer can be used to maintain skin elasticity. Materials that can inhibit elastase activity can be a cosmetic ingredient in dealing with skin aging. — N. S. S. Ambarwati et al in “Anti-elastase activity of methanolic and ethyl acetate extract from Garcinia latissima Miq.” (full citation below)
Bos, M A et al. “Procyanidins from tormentil: antioxidant properties towards lipoperoxidation and anti-elastase activity.” Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin vol. 19,1 (1996): 146-8. doi:10.1248/bpb.19.146
Ambarwati, N. S. S. et al. “Anti-elastase activity of methanolic and ethyl acetate extract from Garcinia latissima Miq.” Journal of Physics: Conference Series vol. 1402, issue 5, 055079; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/1402/5/055079/meta
McCowan, Alexander. “Plant of the Week: Common treatment for cholera and plague used for stomach problems.” Cyprus Mail. October 16, 2020. https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/10/15/plant-of-the-week-common-treatment-for-cholera-and-plague-used-for-stomach-problems/
Michalun, M.Varinia, and DiNardo, Joseph C.. Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. United States, Cengage Learning, 2014.
D'Amelio, Sr., Frank S.. Botanicals: A Phytocosmetic Desk Reference. United States, CRC Press, 1998.
Rue, Emily A et al. “Procyanidins: a comprehensive review encompassing structure elucidation via mass spectrometry.” Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe vol. 17,1 (2018): 1-16. doi:10.1007/s11101-017-9507-3
Chung, K T et al. “Tannins and human health: a review.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition vol. 38,6 (1998): 421-64. doi:10.1080/10408699891274273
Von Bingen, Hildegard. Hildegard's Healing Plants: From Her Medieval Classic Physica. United States, Beacon Press, 2002.
Hildegard. Hildegard Von Bingen's Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing. United States, Inner Traditions/Bear, 1998.
Photo of tormentil by Ivonne Wierink through canva.com
