Name
Gentiana lutea (Gentian, Gentiana)
Medical Indication
Part of the plant which can be used
- The root of the plant.
Present in the market
- Herbal tea.
- Dry extract.
- Tincture.
- Fluid extract.
Medical Use and Dosage – mode of administration
GENTIANA LUTEA is used for the treatment of loss of appetite, and for the symptomatic treatment of dyspepsia and mild spasmodic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
It can be used in herbal tea to deal with fused or digestive disorders such as loss of appetite, dyspepsia. It also can be used in fullness, intestinal gas, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, and vomiting.
In order to prepare herbal tea, we use 2 – 4 g comminuted herbal substance daily.
In cases of digestive disorders (dyspeptic complaints) such as loss of appetite, feeling of fullness and bloating, when it is used:
- in dry extract, the suggested dosage is 2 capsules, 2 - 3 times daily.
- in tincture the suggested dosage is 20 drops, 3 times daily.
- in fluid extract and the suggested dosage is 2 - 4 times daily.
It is also used for fever, hysteria, and high blood pressure. Some people use gentian to prevent muscle spasms, treat parasitic worms, start menstrual periods, and as a germ killer.
For more information see:
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2010/03/WC500075297.pdf
Combinations & Contraindications
Gentiana is used in combinations with many other bitter and/or aromatic herbal substances / herbal preparations, usually for treatment of dyspeptic or choleretic complaints. Typical examples of such combination partners are Rumicis herba pulvis, Sambuci flos pulvis, Primulae flos pulvis, Verbenae herba pulvis, Plantaginis folium, Curcuma Zedoaria Rose, Angelicae radix, Fraxinus ornus L (radix), Myrrha exudatum, Carlina acaulis L. (radix).
It can also be combined with ginger and cardamom.
It is contraindicated to be used during pregnancy without medical surveillance.
Recognized Ethnobotanical use
Gentiana lutea is a traditional herbal medicinal product which is used to treat many health problems, such as bitter stomachic and stimulant, intermittent fever attacks, digestive disorders such as loss of appetite, fullness, flatulence, stimulate appetite, anorexia e.g. after illness, and dyspeptic complaints.
It might cause headache, vomit.