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Information About The Herb Gentian


General Information

The Gentians number about 180 species, distributed widely throughout the world.

Botanical Name: Gentiana lutea

Plant Family:  Gentianaceae

Common name: Bitter Root, Bitterwort, Enzian, Pale Gentian, Yellow Gentian

Origin: It is a native of the Alpine and sub-Alpine areas of central and southern Europe, the mountains of Spain and Portugal, the Pyrenees, Sardinia, Corsica and as far as Bosnia and the Balkan countries

History: The plant is named after an ancient king of Illyria, King Gentius (180-167 BC) who is thought to have discovered its medicinal value.

During the Middle Ages it was used as an antidote to poison

Culpepper writes: 'It is under the dominion of Mars....'

Tradition:

  • Before the introduction of Hops it was used in brewing

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Plant Constituents

Contains:

The glycosides:

  • Amarogentin
  • Gentiamarin
  • Gentiin
  • Gentiopicrin

as well as:

  • dextrose
  • Gentianic Acid (Gentisin)
  • gentianose
  • laevulose
  • pale yellow crystalline substance
  • sucrose

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Usage

Medicinal Parts Used:  The Root and Rhizomes

Gentian is used for:

Blood Conditions

  • blood cleanser
  • raises the white blood cell count

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

  • hysteria

Gastrointestinal Conditions

  • dyspepsia
  • fainting spells
  • flatulence (gas/wind)
  • catarrhal gastritis with diarrhea
  • gastro-intestinal inflammations
  • griping pains and stitches
  • heartburn
  • improves appetite and poor digestion
  • indigestion
  • promotes the flow of digestive juices and bile
  • stomach ache
  • strengthens the activity of the stomach (take half an hour before meals)
  • vomiting
  • weakness of the digestive organs

Female Conditions

  • female weaknesses

Liver Conditions

  • biliousness
  • jaundice
  • promotes the flow of bile

Other

  • anorexia
  • counters poisons, putrefaction and pestilence
  • general debility
  • discourages the smoking habit
  • intermittent fevers
  • relieves a fever

Externally Gentian can be used:

  • for soothing inflammation
  • in footbaths
  • to wash wounds

Other Uses:

  • in bitter liqueurs

Action:

  • anthelmintic [an agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms and/or parasites; vermicide; vermifuge]
  • antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
  • bitter [applied to bitter tasting drugs which act on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and promote digestion]
  • cholagogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
  • depurative [an agent that cleanses and purifies the system, especially the blood]
  • emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
  • febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
  • gastric stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
  • refrigerant [an agent that lowers abnormal body heat, relieves thirst and gives a feeling of coolness]
  • stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
  • tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

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Precautions

Caution:

  • excess doses can cause irritation

Products

Global Herbal Supplies has Gentian available in the following forms


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Research


Articles
 

Information given by our website  is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.



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G: Garlic  ||  Gentian  ||  Ginger  ||  Ginkgo biloba  ||  Ginseng american  ||  Ginseng korean  ||  Ginseng siberian  ||  Ginseng tienchi  ||  Goat's rue || Goldenrod ||  Goldenseal   ||  Gotu kola  ||  Gravel root  ||  Green tea  ||  Guaiacum resin  || Gymnema  ||

H: Hawthorn  ||  Hemidesmus indicus ||  Hops  ||  Horehound white  ||  Horseradish  ||  Horsetail  ||  Hyssop  ||

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Y-Z: Yarrow  ||  Yellow dock || Zizyphus ||

 


     
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