• Effective as a blood-builder, circulation stimulator, sugar producer, appetite stimulant and much more.
Gentian root is a traditional bitter tonic that stimulates appetite. It is a roborant and cholagogue, and can be used in case of poor appetite, flatulence and bloating, and for dyspepsia with anorexia. It is also popular in homeopathy.
Gentian Root Gentiana lutea L.
Family: Gentianacea.
Other Names: 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.
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).
Health 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 immuno-modulatory properties.
Status: Traditional health; 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 liquid extracts, 1 - 3 g per day). Gentian root is included in a wide range of herbal teas and stomachic medicines (drops, tablets, extracts). It is commercially used mainly to flavour liqueurs.
Gentian can be useful as a blood-builder and has been popular to use during convalescence. Gentian strengthens the entire system even when given in moderate doses. One way it does this is by stimulating general circulation. Gentian is also high in simple energy producing sugars. It has been found that Gentian root increases the activities of many glands and organs.
Gentian stimulates the appetite and can be given for anorexia and exhaustion. It strengthens the digestive organs while improving the vascular system to that the digestive tract receives a rich supply of blood and the digested nutrients are all absorbed. It also appears to have a mildly cleansing effect on the bowels. It is effective in slowly cleansing the hardened morbid mater lining the colon.
This perennial grows over 4 feet high and produces yellow flowers. It is native to central and southern European mountainous regions, but is cultivated elsewhere as well. 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) and for brewing of spirits.
Gentian root, due to its bitter taste, helps support the production of saliva and gastric secretions, thereby promoting healthy digestion. Its bitterness is attributed to constituents that include glycosides, gentiopicrin, and amarogentin.
All gentians were once regarded as a panacea. Pliny said that the herbs, which are extremely bitter-tasting, were effective against stomach complaints, digestive disorders, irritations and skin complaints, including "the hairy affection appearing on the breasts at child-birth." The species most commonly used in medieval European health was the great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea). In addition to Pliny's list, the roots of gentians can be used to help support fever, help stimulate the appetite and promote the flow of digestive juices and bile. Externally the herb was used for cleansing wounds.
Culinary Usage
Gentians were used in the production of bitter liqueurs and aperitifs.
Miscellaneous
Although known to the ancient Egyptians, gentians are reputedly named after Gentius, King of Illyria, who discovered their health value in the second century BC. Certain species of gentian, all of which are native to mountain pastures in Europe and Asia, were cultivated in England during the Middle Ages.
Gentian root is one of the tonics, and regarded as febrifuge and antiseptic. it has been used in powder form, as a tea, syrup, liquid extract and a drink for intermittent fevers, dyspeptic complaints, flatulence, jaundice, some dropsical affections, skin problems and so on. Hailer considered it an excellent supportive for joint pain.
This root is used in making elixirs of eternal youth. Gentian wine and syrup are extremely effective in cases of general atony and more particularly atony of the digestive organs. In surgery, Gentian root is used to great advantage to dilate the course of a fistula.
The flower tops of Gentiana verticillata are used in the Antilles for intermittent fevers. The flowers of Gentiana Catesbaei were used in the southern United States in a decoction for pneumonia, as a tonic and sudorific. The inhabitants on the banks of Lake Baikel use G. Macrophylla Pallas for convulsions and delirium. In Russia, Marsh Gentian has long been a popular supportive.
The gentian plant (Gentiana lutea) was named after Gentius, King of Illyria (180 B.C.), who was supposed to be the first to discover the health virtues of this herb. Throughout the centuries, the bitter juice of the gentian root can be been used as a stomach tonic, an antidote against the poisonous bite of mad dogs and venomous reptiles, a supportive for problems with the stomach and the liver, a powerful supporter for the plague. Its leaves, steeped in wine, were taken to provide refreshment for fatigue and as a warming tonic for exposure. Today, the juice of the gentian root is still an important ingredient in stomach bitters that can be used to help support digestion and to help support stomach aches.
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TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in tamper-proof, food-grade, recyclable containers.
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 1-844-449-0444.
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, prevent, or cure any condition or disease.
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in tamper-proof, food-grade, recyclable containers.
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 1-844-449-0444.
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
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 1-844-449-0444.
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, prevent, or cure any condition or disease.
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in tamper-proof, food-grade, recyclable containers.
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 1-844-449-0444.
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, prevent, or cure any condition or disease.