ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
                                  ³Cinquefoil³
                                  ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

    (Potenilla reptans/Potenilla canadensis/Potenilla tormentilla), also
    called five-fingered grass, Five leaf grass, five fingers, five-finger
    blossom, Sunkfield, Synkefoyle.

       An old-time favorite among witches and ceremonial magicians, probably
    because of its roughly pentagram/hand shaped leaf, this creeping herb
    will need to be watched lest it invade your garden and start choking out
    your other plants. Its palmate, serrated leaves grow on stems ranging
    from 2 to 18 inches in length, off which branch small yellow flowers
    that close at night, each to its own stalk. Valued in herbal medicine
    since the time of Hippocrates and Discorides, the cinquefoil now grows
    all over Europe and the United States. It will do best in rich, well
    watered soils.

       Since Discorides day, cinquefoil has been employed as a febrifuge -
    that is, a medicine with the property of abating or mitigating Fever*
    Because of its astringent* properties, it is also used as a lotion
    for washing out wounds* and abrasions. It is also useful as a cure for
    diarrhea*.

       For an infusion, use 1 ounce of the dried herb in 1 pint boiling water.
    Cool and strain, Flavor with sugar or honey and take in wineglass sized
    doses if required for internal application.

    A wash made from this mixed with strawberry* leaves, tansy*, mallow* and
    plantain* is excellent for the skin.