Common Silverweed

Argentina anserina is a synonym of Potentilla anserina L., the accepted name of a perennial flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae. It is known by the common names "silverweed", common silverweed orsilverweed cinquefoil. It is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, often on river shores and in grassy habitats such as meadows and road-sides. The plant was originally placed in the genus Potentilla by Carl Linnaeus in his Species plantarum, edition 1, (1753) but was reclassified into the resurrected genus Argentina by research conducted in the 1990s. It is a species aggregate which has frequently been divided into multiple species. The reclassification remains controversial and is not accepted by some authorities.
Silverweed is a low-growing herbaceous plant with creeping red stolons that can be up to 80 cm long. The leaves are 10-20 cm long, evenly pinnate into in crenate leaflets 2-5 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, covered with silky white hairs, particularly on the underside. These hairs are also present on the stem and the stolons. These give the leaves the silvery appearance from which the plant gets its name.
The flowers are produced singly on 5-15 cm long stems, 1.5-2.5 cm diameter with five (rarely up to seven) yellow petals. The fruit is a cluster of dry achenes

Common Name:

Common Silverweed

Other Names:

Goose Tansy, Silverweed

Botanical Name:

Potentilla anserina

Genus:

Potentilla

Family:

Rosaceae

Habitat:

Silverweed is most often found in sandy or gravelly soils, where it may spread rapidly by its prolific rooting stolons. It typically occurs in inland habitats, unlike A. egedii, which is a salt-tolerant coastal salt marsh plant.

Cultivation and Uses:

Herbal tea from the underground roots is used to help delivery, and as antispasmodic for diarrhea. The plant was also put in shoes to absorb sweat. It was formerly believed to be useful for epilepsy, and that it could ward off witches and evil spirits. Argentina anserina herb has been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally as tea for treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, gynaecological problems, and spasm.
The plant has been cultivated as a food crop for its edible roots. The usual wild forms, however, are impractical for this use, as they are small and are hard to clean. It may also become a problem weed in gardens.
Travelers visiting Tibet reported on the food use of the plant's root in the region. According to Pyotr Kozlov, who traveled in the Kham region in 1900-1901, Tibetans, who did not have any vegetables other than turnips, would often dig out roots of Argentina anserina (whose local name he gave as djüma), which could be easily dried and stored for later use. Kozlov even suggested that it would not be a bad idea for Russian peasants to do likewise, especially in famine years. The mission of Sarat Chandra Das to Tibet in the late nineteenth century reported that the root of the plant, under a Tibetan name variously transcribed as toma, doma or droma, was served cooked in butter and sugar at the New Year's celebrations in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Etymology and Folklore:

The pre-Linnaean name anserina means "of the goose" (Anser), either because the plant was used to feed them or because the leaves reminded of the bird's footmarks. In Sweden, the flower is called gâsört (goose-wort)
A rich folklore has developed around Silverweed. The plant bears the common name of richette in French, being rich through both silver and gold.
There is a legend that the Christ Child grew up and walked the roads of Palestine; and the yellow flowering plant of the dusty wayside with silvery fern-like leaves that lay flat on the ground has been called the Footsteps of Our Lord.

Parts Used:

Entire Plant

Chemical Constituents:

Ellagic Acid

Kinovic Acid

Tannins

Known Effects:

Shrinks tissues

Prevents secretion of fluids

Causes protein molecules to clump together

Stimulates uterine contractions

Interferes with the absorption of iron and other minerals when taken internally

Possible Additional Effects:

May treat dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

May treat tetanus in absence of medical help, when used with lobelia

Warnings and Precautions:

Don't take if you:

Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future

Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, reflux esophagitis, ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, or diverticulitis

Consult your doctor if you:

Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)

Take any medical drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs

Pregnancy:
Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
Breastfeeding:
Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
Infants and Children:
Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous
Others:
None are expected if you are beyond childhood, under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy, take it only for a short time and do not exceed manufacturer's recommended dose.
Storage:

Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.

Store safely out of reach of children.

Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.

Safe Dosage:
Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.

Adverse Reactions, Side Effects, or Overdose Symptoms:

Signs and Symptoms	What to do

Diarrhea	Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
Nausea or Vomiting	Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
Painful Urination	Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.

Bibliography: