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| Common Uses: |
Digestion/Indigestion *
IBS *
Nausea *
Stop Smoking *
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| Properties: |
Carminative*
Stomachic*
Hepatic*
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| Parts Used: |
Dried root and rhizome |
| Constituents: | Bitter glycosides (amarogentin, gentiopicrin, sweitiamarin), alkaloids (including gentianine and gentialutine), xanthones (including gentisein and gentisin), triterpenes, sugars, volatile oil |
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Gentian's main use is that of a digestive tonic, the plant contains one of the most bitter substances known. Gentian's bitters have been used in herbalism to improve the appetite and to improve digestion for about 3,000 years. In addition to the herbs use in aiding digestion, gentian is an effective antioxidant that can help prevent some age-related vision problems. Laboratory studies have confirmed the value of gentian in the treatment of eye disease, especially in preventing diabetic retinopathy and reducing toxin production that can lead to cataracts. (2002) Phyllis A. Balch
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Related Species
G. purpurea, G. pannonica, G. punctata and G. acaulis are European gentians having similar medicinal properties to G. lutea and are used indiscriminately with each other and the official root, from which they differ but little in appearance, though are somewhat smaller.(Grieve, M.) |
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| Side Effects: |
| If you are pregnant or have high blood pressure or chronic gastrointestinal problems, you should use gentian only under the direction of a health-care professional. You should avoid gentian altogether if you have excess stomach acid. Children and adults over sixty-five should use low-strength preparations. You should not give gentian to a child under two years of age |
Preparation Methods :One teaspoon of powered root to 3 cups of water for tea. Most people find the neutral taste of capsules preferable to the extremely
bitter taste of the drink, however tradidional herbalists contend that the bitter taste is necessary to stimulate the digestive system. Remedies using : Gentian
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Gentian for :Gallstones and indigestion |
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Gentian helps to ease gallbladder problems and indigestion. Taken thirty minutes before eating, it increases the appetite, stimulating the production of digestive juices and pancreatic activity, and boosting the blood supply to the digestive tract and intestines. It is especially helpful for fat and protein digestion. Gentian also stimulates the production of bile. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002) |
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Digestion/Indigestion *
IBS *
Nausea *
Stop Smoking *
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 Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
- Flowers:Clusters of big, five-petaled, orange-yellow flowers
- Plant Class:Perennial ornamental Herb
- Leaves:Stiff, pointy green leaves, alternating on a single stem
- Root: The roots are the medicinal part of the plant and take 7 to 10 growing seasons to mature
- Preferred Habitat:High mountain pastures
- Flowering Season:
- Distribution:Alps and Himalayas, Spain and the Balkans - widely cultivated in China
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In both Chinese and Korean, the terms for gentian can be translated literally as "dragon gallbladder herb." This attests to gentian's ability to treat fiery inflammations of the gallbladder that cause intense discomfort. |
Gentian herb has been used in European herbal medicine throughout the 3,000 years since its discovery as a bitter tonic to improve digestion. |
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Medicinal Healing Herbs : Properties and Uses
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Common Misspellings:
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