Cinquefoil: Magical Herb for Health and Prosperity

• acne and boils
• arthritis
• bruises, cuts, and abrasions
• colds and flu
• diabetes
• external bleeding
• fever
• gastrointestinal disorders
• gout
• gum disease
• inflammation
• insect bites and stings
• sciatica
• sore throat
• swelling
• toothache

Remedies were made from the flowers, leaves, roots, and whole plants, depending on the condition. Ancient remedies came in decoctions, elixirs, teas, tinctures, tonics, powders, and poultices, frequently mixed with other herbs, alcohol, honey, or beeswax.

Today you can buy cinquefoil tea and other products in any natural medicine store. Dried cinquefoil is available if you want to make your own remedies. You can harvest wild cinquefoil, as well, but only if you know the plant well. With so many species and other similar-looking herbs, it’s safer to buy cinquefoil from reputable suppliers.

That said, cinquefoil isn’t toxic to people, children, and pets, and an overdose is highly unlikely. It can, however, trigger an allergic response in a small percentage of the population.

Medical science has shown it to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, antispasmodic, and diuretic properties. Nevertheless, check with a medical professional if you’re inclined to allergies or are taking chronic medication before using cinquefoil remedies. As a precaution, avoid it entirely if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

History and Folklore

Potentilla fossils have been discovered in archaeological digs in Denmark and Poland, confirming the ancient status of cinquefoil.

Young cinquefoil leaves were commonly used as food and eaten raw or cooked. Older leaves are very high in tannins, making them unpalatable.

In Middle-Age Europe, the five-petaled cinquefoil flower represented the five senses and mastery over the self. Self-mastery imbued people with honor, loyalty, power, and inner strength. The cinquefoil flower became a desirable symbol for medieval knights to wear on their shields. To do that, though, they had to earn the right to wear the insignia by proving self-mastery.

The five petals were also believed to denote health, love, money, power, and wisdom. As a result, people wore or carried cinquefoil leaves and flowers to attract good fortune.

Fishermen are believed to have woven cinquefoil into their nets to secure a good catch, and traders placed it in their money bags to attract better deals.

Cinquefoil was worn and placed around the home for protection, too, and to ward off hexes.

Between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries, church architecture in Brittany and Normandy often featured cinquefoil emblems on external and internal walls, pews, windows, and church objects.

William the Conqueror’s master of the military engineer corps, the Bardolph of Brittany, wore a cinquefoil crest.

Roman general Agrippa used cinquefoil in incense to drive away devils and protect against poisoning.

The roots of cinquefoil were used as a dye in leather making.

The Victorian language of flowers assigned cinquefoil the meaning “beloved daughter.”

Magickal Properties

Cinquefoil was used extensively in magick.

Its association with witchcraft comes from its use as an ingredient in witches flying ointment or magick salve—a hallucinogenic compound. Francis Bacon listed cinquefoil as an essential ingredient in combination with other herbs and components, which frequently were highly toxic.

Today it’s accepted that the mind-altering effects of this ointment gave rise to the belief that witches can fly.

The planets Mercury and Venus are allied with cinquefoil. Consequently, it’s used for divination and any spells or rituals related to love. It’s said that burning cinquefoil essential oil or incense just before bedtime brings dreams of your lover.

You can use cinquefoil in spells and rituals for:

• conjuring the energy of Mercury or Venus
• attracting love into your life
• getting the attention of a specific crush
• blessing your relationship with lasting love and loyalty
• divination and communication across the veil
• drawing money and gambling luck
• success in business deals and sales
• favorable negotiations for big-ticket purchases
• repelling negativity, including debt collectors
• protecting your home and family and attracting good fortune
• protecting your car and averting accidents and road rage
• warding off evil intentions and jealousy
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