* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Gentian Root Gentiana lutea L.
Family: Gentianacea.
Other Names:/B> Yellow gentian; gentiane (French); Gelber Enzian (German); genziana maggiore (Italian).
Description: Yellow gentian is a robust leafy perennial herb (up to 1.5 m) with large, parallel-veined leaves emerging every year from a persistent rootstock. The yellow flowers are borne in dense clusters along a sturdy flowering stalk. Other commercial sources include G. purpurea, G. punctata, G. pannonica, G. asclepiadea, G. cruciata and G. scabrae.
Uses and Properties: Gentian root is a traditional bitter tonic that stimulates appetite. It is a roborant and cholagogue, and is used in case of poor appetite, flatulence and bloating, as well as for dyspepsia with anorexia. It is also popular in homoeopathy.
Active Ingredients: The compounds of special interest are the strongly bitter secoiridoids, of which gentiopicroside (also known as gentiopicrin) is the main constituent (2-3%), together with smaller quantities of swertiamarin and sweroside. The bitter taste is mainly due to amarogentin, a minor compound (only up to 0.084% dry weight!) but with a bitterness value of 50 000 000. This is one of the most intensely bitter substances known. Xanthones such as gentisin, isogentisin and gentioside are also present, and give the roots their characteristic yellow colour. In addition, the rhizomes and roots contain phytosterols, phenolic acids, trisaccharides (gentianose) and polysaccharides (pectin).
Pharmacological Effects: The bitter substances stimulate the taste buds and promote (as reflex via the nervus vagus) the flow of saliva, gastric juices and bile. In addition, gentian extracts show antimicrobial and immuno-modulatory properties.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 4.Preparation and Dosage: A tea can be made by adding 1 - 2 g of dried root to a cup of boiling water. A daily dose of 2 - 4 g of root is recommended (for tinctures, 1 - 3 g per day). Gentian root is included in a wide range of herbal teas and stomachic medicines (tincture, drops, tablets, extracts). It is commercially used mainly to flavour liqueurs.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Cautions
Herb Identification Warning: The toxic Veratrum album has similar leaves and might be confused with yellow gentian.
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
