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Centaury (Centaurium
erythraea) |
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| Kingdom: |
Plantae |
| Division: |
Magnoliophyta |
| Class: |
Magnoliopsida |
| Order: |
Gentianales |
| Family: |
Gentianaceae |
| Genus: |
Centaurium
Hill |
| Species: |
Centaurium minus
Centaurium umbellatum
Erythraea centaurium
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| Others name: |
Bitter herb
Centaurea minore (Italian)
Centaury Gentian
Centory
Century
Christ's Ladder
Feverwort
Filwort
Red Centaury |
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Description:
Annual/Biennial growing to 0.25m by 0.15m.
The stem is 6 to 18 inches high, quadrangular to hexagonal, hollow
when older, and branched near the top. The basal leaves are ovate
and grow in a rosette; the stem leaves are opposite, sessile,
and ovate-oblong. The rose-red, funnel- shaped flowers grow in
cymes from June to September.
Distribution and habitat:
Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow.
The plant is a native of Europe, including the British Isles,
North Africa, Western Asia and naturalized in N. America. Though
common in this country in dry pastures and on chalky cliffs,
it cannot be easily reared in a garden, and for its medicinal
use is, therefore, collected in the wild state.
Hystory:
The name of the genus to which it is at present assigned, Erythraea,
is derived from the Greek erythros (red), from the
colour of the flowers. The genus was formerly called Chironia,
from the Centaur Chiron, who was famous in Greek mythology
for his skill in medicinal herbs, and is supposed to have cured
himself with it from a wound he had accidentally received from
an arrow poisoned with the blood of the hydra. The English
name Centaury has the same origin. The ancients named the plant Fel
Terrae, or Gall of the Earth from its extreme bitterness.
The old Engiish name of Felwort is equivalent in meaning to
this, and is applied to all the plants of the Gentian family.
It is also thought to be the 'Graveolentia Centaurea' of Virgil,
to which Lucretius gives the more significant epithet of tristia,
in reference to this same intense bitterness.
As this bitterness
had a healing and tonic effect
attributed to it, we sometimes find the Centaury called Febrifuga
and Feverwort. It is known popularly also as Christ's Ladder,
and the name Centaury has become corrupted in Worcestershire
to 'Centre of the Sun.'
Of all the bitter appetizing
wild herbs which serve as excellent simple tonics,
the Centaury is the most efficacious, sharing
the antiseptic virtues
of the Field Gentian and the Buckbean.
Parts used:
The whole herb, collected in July, when just breaking into flower
and dried. The plant has a slight odour, which disappears when
dried.
Constituens:
Centaury contains a bitter principle,
Erythro-centaurin, which is colourless, crystalline, non-nitrogenous,
reddened by sunlight; a bitter glucoside,
Erytaurin; Valeric acid, wax, etc.
Edible Uses:
Edible Uses: Condiment.
The plant is used as a flavouring in bitter herbal
liqueurs and is an ingredient of vermouth.
Medicinal Uses:
Appetizer; Aromatic; Bach; Bitter; Cholagogue; Diaphoretic;
Digestive; Emetic; Febrifuge; Hepatic; Homeopathy; Poultice;
Stomachic; Tonic.
One of the most useful bitter herbs,
centaury strengthens digestive
function, especially within the stomach. By increasing stomach
secretions it hastens the breakdown of food, it also stimulates
the appetite and increases bile production. The plant needs
to be take over a number of weeks and an infusion should be
slowly sipped so that the components (their bitterness
can be detected at a dilution of 1:3,500) can stimulate reflex
activity throughout the upper digestive tract.
The whole herb is appetizer, aromatic, bitter, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emetic,
weakly febrifuge, hepatic, stomachic and tonic.
It acts on the liver and kidneys,
purifies the blood and is an excellent tonic for
the digestive system.
Externally, the fresh green herb is said to be a good application
to wounds and sores. It is often used in combination with other
herbs such as camomile (Chamaemelum nobile), meadowsweet (Filipendula
ulmaria) and marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). The whole plant
is harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use.
The plant is used in Bach flower
remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Weak willed',
'Too easily influenced' and 'Willing servitors'. A homeopathic
remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment
of liver and gall bladder ailments.
Others Uses:
Dye.
A long-lasting bright yellowish-green dye is
obtained from the flowers.
Warning:
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All information given hereby are only for knowledge
purposes. In no way they are intended for self-diagnosis
or self-therapy. Only a doctor can suggest you
diagnoses and therapies, therefore make contact
with your doctor for any medical advice. |
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