Gentian – Uses & Health Benefits

Gentian

The gentian is one of the best-known medicinal plants. Its bitter substances are well suited for the treatment of indigestion. The gentian (Gentiana) is a genus of plants and belongs to the gentian family (Gentianaceae).

Definition and Occurrence

There are around 300 to 400 different species of gentian worldwide. While some varieties are used to make liquor, others are used as herbal remedies . Some species also serve as ornamental plants such as the well-known blue gentian. The yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is considered to have particularly healing powers.

The yellow gentian is a perennial plant. He can reach an age of up to 60 years. However, its growth is much slower than that of other plants. Its flowering usually takes place after 10 years. The extensive root of the gentian reaches a maximum length of one meter. Some specimens weigh up to four kilograms. The roots are yellow on the inside while brown on the outside. In spring, large oval leaves emerge from the root.

While the leaves grow crossed in tiers, the stem of the plant stretches upwards. The yellow gentian has its heyday from June to August. Yellow flowers appear above the leaf layers, which have the shape of a wheel. They produce large pods that have small seeds. The yellow gentian can be found in the mountains of central and southern Europe. It prefers to thrive in meadows and pastures as well as in grassy mixed forests. The medicinal plant is most commonly found at an altitude of between 1300 and 1900 metres. The gentian is also good to grow in gardens.

Ingredients, effect and dosage

The underground parts of the yellow gentian are used for therapeutic purposes. The roots and rootstock have 2 to 3 percent bitter substances such as amarogentin and gentiopicroside. Other important ingredients are disaccharides (bitter disaccharides) and essential oils . They have the property of stimulating bile flow , gastric juice , salivation and taste buds , giving gentian root recognition as a medicinal plant. It works against indigestion, flatulence, a feeling of fullness and loss of appetite. Furthermore, the defense system of the gastrointestinal tract is stimulated by gentiopicroside, which reduces inflammation in this area.To use the yellow gentian, it is recommended to take it as a tea. The dried rhizomes can be used as an infusion. To prepare it, the user pours a cup of hot, boiled water over half a teaspoon of gentian root. The steeping time is 5 to 10 minutes. The gentian tea can also be prepared as a cold extract. Half a teaspoon of the gentian root is poured over with cold water. After a brewing time of 7 to 8 hours, the tea is strained and then slowly warmed up.

A further possibility of administration of the gentian is the tincture. For this purpose, the user cuts the gentian roots into small pieces. He then pours spirits or double grain over them. This mixture then remains in a closed jar for 2 to 6 weeks before being strained. The recommended dose of gentian tincture is 10 to 20 drops three times a day.

In addition, the gentian can also be obtained in the form of dragees or capsules in pharmacies. It is important to only use the dried roots of the gentian therapeutically. The intake of fresh root parts often results in intoxicating states and considerable nausea .

What does gentian help against?

importance to health

The gentian has been used as a remedy since ancient times. The plant owes its name to the Illyrian king Gentis. He was one of the ancient healers and used the medicinal herb against the plague . Hildegard von Bingen and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe also appreciated the healing and preventive effects of the yellow gentian. With the help of its bitter substances, the plant stimulates the formation of gastric juices.

It also increases human appetite and relieves heartburn. Furthermore, the gentian has a slightly laxative effect, which makes it suitable for treating constipation. Folk medicine also uses gentian to treat muscle weakness, achylia (lack of gastric or pancreatic juice) and excess air in the gastrointestinal tract. The use of the yellow gentian is also considered useful after chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.

These treatments often cause loss of appetite, nausea and problems with taste perception in the gastrointestinal tract . The unpleasant side effects can usually be alleviated by the gentian.Furthermore, the yellow gentian is used in folk medicine as a preventative against colds. In addition, the female menstruation is promoted. Other areas of application for gentian are fever, anemia, cold hands and feet, rheumatism, dizziness and convalescence.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *