Description:
Perennial growing to 1.2m by 0.6m.
Great Yellow Gentian is a herbaceous perennial
plant, growing to 1-2 m tall, with broad lanceolate to elliptic
leaves 10-30 cm long and 4-12 cm broad. The flowers are yellow,
with the corolla separated nearly to the base into 5-7 narrow
petals.
Distribution and habitat:
Cultivated Beds.
Great Yellow Gentian is a species of gentian native to the mountains
of central and southern Europe, frequent in the mountains of
Spain and Portugal, the Pyrenees, Sardinia and Corsica, the Apennines,
the Mountains of Auvergne, the Jura, the lower slopes of the
Vosges, the Black Forest and throughout the chain of the Alps
as far as Bosnia and the Balkan States. It does not reach the
northern countries of the Continent, nor the British Isles. At
an elevation of from 3,000 to 4,500 feet, it is a characteristic
species of many parts of France and Switzerland, where, even
when not in flower, the numerous barren shoots form conspicuous
objects: the leaves are at first sight very similar to Veratrum
album, the White Hellebore, which is its frequent companion.
Out of Europe, the plant occurs in the mountains of Lydia. In
some parts it occupies large tracts of country, being untouched
by any kind of cattle. It grows in grassy
alpine and sub-alpine pastures, usually on calcareous soils.
Hystory:
The name of the genus is derived from Gentius, an ancient
King of Illyria (180-167 B.C.), who, according to Pliny and
Dioscorides, discovered the medicinal value of these plants.
During the Middle Ages, Gentian was commonly employed as an antidote to
poison. Tragus, in 1552, mentions it as a means of diluting
wounds.
Gentian root and other highly bitter plants
have been used for centuries in Europe as digestive aids
(the well-known Swedish bitters
often contain gentian). Other folk
uses included topical use on skin tumors,
decreasing fevers, and treatment of diarrhea.1 Its ability
to increase digestive function, including production of stomach
acid, has since been validated in modern times.
Parts used:
The rhizome and roots.
Constituens:
Gentian contains some of the most
bitter substances
known, particularly the glycosides gentiopicrin and amarogentin.
The taste of these can be detected even when diluted 50,000 times. Besides
stimulating secretion of saliva in the mouth and hydrochloric
acid in the stomach, gentiopicrin may protect the liver.
Edible Uses:
Condiment.
The root is sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters.
The root contains sugar and mucilage (this is probably a
reference to its medicinal properties). The root was occasionally
used as a flavouring in beer before the use of hops (Humulus
lupulus) became widespread.
Medicinal Uses:
Anthelmintic;
Antiinflammatory;
Antiseptic;
Bitter;
Cholagogue;
Emmenagogue;
Febrifuge;
Refrigerant;
Stomachic;
Tonic.
Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal
bitter in
the treatment of digestive disorders
and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. It contains
some of the most bitter compounds known and is used as a scientific
basis for measuring bitterness.
It is especially useful in states of exhaustion from chronic
disease and in all cases of debility, weakness of the digestive
system and lack of appetite. It is one of the best strengtheners
of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and
digestive system, and is an excellent
tonic to
combine with a
purgative in
order to prevent its debilitating effects. The root is
anthelmintic,
anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, bitter tonic,
cholagogue,
emmenagogue,
febrifuge,
refrigerant
and
stomachic.
It is taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints,
indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia. It should not
be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
The root, which can be as thick as a person's arm and has few
branches, is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered
are the richest in medicinal properties.
Others Uses:
None known
Dosage:
Up to 20 drops of gentian tincture dissolved in a small
glass of water should be sipped, at least fifteen minutes
before meals.
Safety:
Gentian should not be used by people suffering from excessive
stomach acid, heartburn, stomach ulcers, or gastritis.
