Kalgan / Tormentil

Potentilla erecta

Slavic

Photo credit: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen

Safety information

Toxicity: Mild. High-tannin GI upset/nausea on empty stomach; constipation with heavy use.

Contraindications: Tannin sensitivity; pregnancy/lactation and young children (insufficient data — avoid); persistent/bloody/febrile diarrhoea needs medical care.

Interactions: Tannins reduce absorption of iron, alkaloids and some oral drugs (separate dosing).

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy/lactation: insufficient data — avoid.

Evidence level

Clinical

Supported by clinical trials in humans.

Preparations

powder · rhizome

Part used: rhizome

Evidence:Clinical

gargle · rhizome

Part used: rhizome

Evidence:Clinical

decoction · rhizome

Part used: rhizome

Traditional use: diarrhoea, dysentery, intestinal upset; gargle for sore throat, stomatitis, bleeding gums; topical wound wash

Proposed mechanism: catechin/proanthocyanidin tannins, agrimoniin — astringent

Evidence:Clinical

tincture · rhizome

Part used: rhizome

Traditional use: folk kalgan vodka infusion

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Diarrhoea Sore throat Mouth ulcers / stomatitis Dysentery bleeding gums

Nutritional notes

Not a food; high condensed-tannin content.

Healing traditions

Slavic

Sources (2)

EMA/HMPC Tormentillae rhizoma monograph
Kostenko et al. 2025, tannin-phytotherapy review (PMC12415002)

All sources →