Gentian, Dried
(also referred to as...)
Yellow Gentian, Bitter Root, Bitterwort
Latin Name: Gentiana lutea
Family: Gentianaceae
Description
"Comforts the heart and preserves it against faintings and swoonings: the powder of the dry roots helps the biting of mad dogs and venomous beasts... The herb steeped in wine and the wine drank, refreshes such as be over-weary with travelling, and grow lame in their joints, wither by cold or evil lodgings."
-- Nicholas Culpeper
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Gentian root is one of the most intensely bitter agents around. It is used as a digestive tonic to stimulate the appetite and increase digestive juices, thus improving digestion, appetite, gastritis, heartburn, nausea and gas.
Due to the bitter properties, gentian root is a good agent for destroying worms. Gentian increases the flow of bile and is helpful in jaundice, hepatitis, constipation, and most liver conditions. It is also very helpful in gastrointestinal inflammation, as one of the alkaloids, gentianine, has anti-inflammatory actions. This is a wonderful plant in controlling many fevers and is a generally remarkable human body strengthener.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is said that Gentian clears heat (toxins) from the lower and middle parts of the body and is used in herpes, anal itch, rash, vaginal discharge and itch, urinary tract infections and in helping to clear discharges. Gentian is given to people with coldness and weakness, general debility, and is used to strengthen the liver and memory.
Source
Roots
Preparations
Decoction: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1/2 teaspoon of root and infuse for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup before each meal.
Tincture: Gentian is usually prepared in tincture form due to its bitterness. Take 15 to 20 drops, 3 times daily before meals.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Avoid in stomach and duodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, and irritable or sensitive stomach.
Ailment / Situation Listing
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