Gentian

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Gentiana lutea L.

Other Names : Gentiana lutea L. Gentiana acaulis L. Gentiana purpurea, Gentiana pannoica, Gentiana punctata and Gentiana acaulis are smaller European gentians with similar medicinal properties, and are used arbitrarily with each other and with Gentiana lutea. Yellow gentian, bitter root, feltwort, bitterwort, pale gentian, gall weed, stemless gentian (Gentiana acaulis L.)

  • Gentiana lutea L. belongs to the large plant family Gentianaceae. It is believed to be native to Europe, and is the largest species of the family. It is found in the southern and central mountainous regions of Europe from Spain to the Balkans. It prefers altitudes from 2,300-8,000 feet, (700-2400 meters), with shady or sheltered sites on loamy soil. It may be easily cultivated from either seeds or by splitting the large root crowns. The underground parts are harvested in the fall, sliced and dried slowly. The drying process develops the odor, color and taste of this traditional medicinal herb.
  • Gentiana acaulis L. is native to the European Alps, found at elevations of 914-1524 meters.
  • Gentiana scabra commonly grows in the mountain valleys of central China, and is the gentian most commonly used today in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Historically the Chinese herbalists did not differentiate between species of a genus; most likely a variety of species of gentian were used. Gentian is called lung tan, or dragon’s gall, due to its very bitter taste.

Special Precautions of Gentian

  • Gentian should not be used while pregnant, as it may not be well tolerated and has been documented to cause adverse effects.
  • Gentian is contraindicated for individuals with excessive gastric acid secretions, those suffering from heartburn, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or high blood pressure. Overdose may cause gastric irritation, resulting in nausea and vomiting.
  • Care should be taken if the herb is collected in the wild, as it is easily mistaking for the highly toxic white hellebore (veratrum album L.), which is frequently found growing with gentian. There are reports of acute veratrum alkaloid poisoning has been reported in persons who drank homemade gentian wine that had accidentally been contaminated by white hellebore harvested by those unable to distinguish between the two very similar plants.
  • Belladonna and aconite root, and the rhizomes of orris have also been found mixed with gentian. Commercial powdered root has frequently been found adulterated with ground almond shells and olive stones.

The benefits of Gentian are

Gentian root extract is a fungicide, an immune booster, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Its bitter principles stimulate the secretion of both gastric juices and bile.

  • The bitter taste of gentian is due to bitter iridoid glycosides; primarily gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, amarogentin and gentiopicrin. Gentian contains several alkaloids, predominantly gentian and gentialutine. Additionally it contains the constituents: xanthones, triterpenes, pectin, tannin, mucilage and sugar.
  • Many species of gentiana are used in a similar way across widely divergent cultures. It is found in the Indian Ayurveda herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as in European herbal pharmacopeia.
  • It has a long history of use as bitters, used to promote the appetite and digestion by general stimulation of the digestive juices.
  • Gentian, as with all bitters, is important in traditional herbal medicine as a remedy for physical and mental exhaustion.
  • It is a traditional herbal remedy for symptoms of sluggish digestion, such as dyspepsia and flatulence.
  • Gentian is used as a blood builder, traditionally used convalescence.
  • It is used as a natural herbal treatment for gaining weight, anorexia and exhaustion.
  • Gentian is believed to strengthen the entire system by stimulating the digestive function as well as the general circulation and the activity of many glands and organs.
  • used as a liver tonic and to stimulate insufficient production of gastric juices, bile and saliva. It is used to alleviate inflammations in the gall bladder.
  • Gentiana scabra, or lung tan in traditional Chinese medicine, has much the same uses as gentian in European herbal tradition. It is used for fevers, rheumatism, toxicity of the bowels, and general debility. It is believed to enhance memory and is used as a liver tonic.
  • Both gentian and stemless gentian are recognized as generally safe by the FDA, and extracts of gentian are used in a variety of anti-smoking products, cosmetics and foods.
  • as an herbal treatment for wounds; animal studies have shown it to have a measurable anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.
  • used internally as a remedy for sore throat and arthritic inflammation.
  • It is used in liquors and schnapps, and is an important ingredient in Angostura bitters.
  • It was traditionally often used in combination with other digestive stimulants such as ginger and cardamom.
  • Both gentian and stemless gentian are recognized as generally safe by the FDA, and extracts of gentian are used in a variety of anti-smoking products, cosmetics and foods.

Used in Patent Medecines