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	Gentian
	Named after king Gentius in the first century BC, gentian was highly regarded for it's supposed ability to reduce fevers. Modern research has confirmed that the bitter nature of gentian is responsible for it active properties. For centuries, gentian, or `bitter root' as it is also known, has been used by herbalists as a digestive aid. Today, gentian is prescribed as a non-irritating digestive tonic addressing gastro-intestinal complaints of all sorts. Its action starts in the mouth as one of the most bitter constituents known to man, amarogentin, encourages salivary secretions that begin the digestive process. Gentian offers anti-inflammatory properties and studies have revealed that it also provides gallbladder and liver support. Most digestive-related complaints may be eased with gentian, or formulas that include gentian, such as `Swedish bitters'.

	Browse Sections:
	Summary Other Names Description Traditional Internal Uses Indications Actions Constituents / Nutrients		Pharmacological Summary Scientific Research / Actions Research Precautions / Contraindications Possible Side Effects Dosage References

	Common Name
	Gentian
	Botanical Latin Name / Classification
	Gentiana lutea
	Parts Used
	Roots and rhizomes
	Other Names
	Bitter Root, Gentiana, Yellow Gentian, Pale Gentian, Bitterwort, Bitter Wort. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Description
	Gentian is a perennial herb indigenous to the alpine and sub-alpine pastures of central and southern Europe. Ringed and forked, the thick wrinkled root is brown on the outside and yellow on the inside. The simple, erect, glabrous stem grows to a height of 120 cm, giving off opposite bluish-green elliptical leaves with prominent curved veins. Three to ten yellow flowers arise together in the axils of bowl-shaped bracts after the root is about ten years old. The fruit is an oblong, two-valved capsule. The root and rhizome are unearthed in late summer and autumn in the second or third year, before the plant is mature enough to flower. They should be sliced and dried slowly, during which time the characteristic odor, color and taste develop. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Traditional Internal Uses
	Gentian is named after Gentius, King of Illyria in the 1st century BC, who is said to have discovered the plant's ability to reduce fevers. Gentian root and other highly bitter plants have been used for centuries by herbalists in Europe as digestive aids (the well-known Swedish bitters often contain gentian). Other folk uses included topical application on skin tumors, decreasing fevers, and treatment of diarrhea. Today, gentian is a much-used gastric stimulant, specifically indicated in dyspepsia with anorexia, but useful to digestive atony of any sort. It may be used in the treatment of insufficient gastric secretions, intestinal and gastric inflammations, hepatic and gallbladder disease, and is a useful adjunct to fever management and in conditions of chronic inflammatory disease where digestion appears to be less than ideal. Its action begins as soon as it is absorbed by the mucous membrane of the mouth. The secoiridoid bitter principles, particularly amarogentin, stimulate gustatory receptors in the taste buds, causing a reflex increase in the secretion of saliva, gastric juice and bile, thereby stimulating the appetite. Amarogentin is one of the most bitter substances known. It also accelerates emptying of the stomach and improves gastric tone, so that heavy food is more easily digested. Gentiana contains no tannin, so there is no astringent or irritant effect. One of its alkaloids, gentianine, has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. The fresh leaves placed on wounds and inflammations act as a refrigerant; and they also make soothing footbaths. Other species of Gentiana, known as longdan, are prescribed in Chinese medicine for similar conditions to those outlined above, as well as for conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, jaundice, hepatitis, eczema and other skin problems. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Indications
	Primary Indications: Indigestion, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Enzyme Disorders Secondary Indications: Gallbladder Disorders, Liver Disorders, Jaundice, Hepatitis Other Indications: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammation, Skin Disorders, Conjunctivitis / Blepharitis Primary Indications: Appetite (Increased or Decreased) Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Actions
	Antemetic, Anti-Inflammatory, Bitter Tonic, Cholagogue, Febrifuge, Refrigerant, Tonic Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Constituents / Nutrients
	Bitter principles of secoiridoid types (gentiopicrin, amarogentin, sweroside, swertiamarin); alkaloids (gentianine, gentialutine); oligosaccharides (gentianose); triterpenes; sugars (gentianose, gentiobiose), sucrose; polysaccharides (inulin, pectin); xanthones (gentisin, gentisein, isogentisin, gentioside, which impart the yellow colour to the root); phenolic acids (gentisic, caffeic, protocatechuic and others); traces of a complex volatile oil. *Alkaloids:* Pyridine-type. Gentianine 0.6-0.8%, gentialutine. *Bitters:* Major component is secoiridoid glycoside gentiopicroside (also known as gentiamarin and gentiopicrin) 2%, with lesser amounts of amarogentin (0.01-0.04%) and swertiamarine.(1) Gentianose (a trisaccharide bitter principle). The glycosides amaropanin and amaroswerin are reported to be present in the related species Gentiana pannonica, Gentiana punctata and Gentiana purpurea, but are absent from Gentiana lutea. *Xanthones* Gentisein, gentisin (gentianin), isogentisin and 1,3,7-trimethoxyxanthone. *Other Constituents:* Carbohydrates (e.g. gentiobiose, sucrose and other common sugars), pectin, tannin (unspecified), triterpenes (e.g. Beta-amyrin, lupeol) and volatile oil (trace). Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Pharmacological Summary
	The major constituents of pharmacological importance in gentian are the bitter principles. These bring about a reflex excitation of the taste receptors, leading to increased secretion of saliva and the digestive juices. Gentian root is therefore considered to be not simply a pure bitter, but also a roborant and tonic. Limited information is available on the other compounds present. The herbal uses of gentian are supported by the known properties of the bitter principles present in the root. In animal experimentation there are indications that bronchial secretion is increased. Excessive doses should be avoided in view of the lack of toxicity data. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions
	In Vitro and Animal Studies The pharmacological activites of gentian root have been reviewed. A summary of this information is provided below. Root extracts have antifungal activity, and are reported to stimulate phagocytic activity of human lymphocytes, indicating immunostimulant activity. Choleretic properties have been documented for gentian, and gentianine has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. The bitter principles stimulate secretion of gastric juices and bile, thus aiding appetite and digestion. Elevation of gastric secretion by up to 30% has been reported following the administration of gentian tincture to dogs. An infusion given orally to sheep as a single daily dose (5 g) stimulated enzyme secretion in the small intestine. A root extract (12 mg/kg/day) applied by gavage to rats for three days elevated bronchosecretion. A standardised extract perfused into the stomachs of anaesthetised rats increased gastric secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Lower doses caused no changes in gastric pH, whereas higher doses increased pH from 4.25 to 4.85. A dose of 0.5 mL/kg did not affect the incidence of gastric ulceration in rats. Clinical Studies In an open, uncontrolled study, a single dose of an alcoholic extract of gentian (equivalent to 0.2 g), given to 10 healthy volunteers, was reported to result in a stimulation of gastric juice secretion.(2) Gall-bladder emptying was increased and prolonged whilst protein and fat digestion was enhanced. Nineteen patients with inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, Crohn's disease, non-specific inflammation) and elevated secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations and eight healthy individuals were treated with gentian tincture (3 x 20 drops/day) for eight days. IgA concentrations decreased in both groups. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Research
	"Gentian: A Bitter Pill To Swallow" "Using Gentian Violet" Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Precautions / Contraindications
	Gentian is stated to be contra-indicated in individuals with high blood pressure, although no rationale is given for this statement, and in individuals with hyperacidity, gastric or duodenal ulcers. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Interaction with Medications
	None documented. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Possible Side Effects
	Extracts of gentian are considered to be non-toxic, and are generally well-tolerated. Gentian should not be used by people suffering from excessive stomach acid, heartburn, peptic ulcer disease, or gastritis.6 An acute oral LD50 value in mice was reported to be 25 mL/kg of extract (37% ethanol, bitterness value: 200 Swiss Pharmacopoeia units/g), and was the same as that of 37% ethanol. Rabbits treated with gentian extract (12.6 mg/day for three days) showed no toxic or abnormal concentration of serum parameters, with the exception of slightly higher erythrocyte concentrations in treated animals. Gentian may occasionally cause headache in some individuals. Mutagenic activity in the Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA100 with S9 mix) has been documented for gentian, with gentisin and isogentisin identified as mutagenic components.(3) Gentian root 100 g was reported to yield approximately 100 mg total mutagenic compounds, of which gentisin and isogentisin comprised approximately 76 mg.(3) Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	Dosage
	Dried Rhizome/Root: 0.6-2 g or by infusion or decoction three times daily. Dried Extract: Gentian capsules are generally available in strengths that range from 300 to 600 mg. Within herbal blends, quantities of gentian are significantly smaller. Typically, a capsule strength of 400 to 500 mg is recommended to be taken 3 times daily. Tincture: 1-4 mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products
	References
	1. Verotta L. Isolation and HPLC determination of the active principles of Rosmarinus officinalis and Gentiana lutea. Fitoterapia 1985; 56: 25-29. 2. Glatzel vonH, Hackenberg K. R”ntgenologische untersuchungen der wirkungen von bittermitteln auf die verdauunogsorgane. Planta Med 1967; 15: 223-232.(PubMed) 3. Morimoto I et al. Mutagenic activities of gentisin and isogentisin from Gentianae radix (Gentianaceae). Mutat Res 1983; 116: 103-117.(PubMed) Our thanks to the following information resources: MedicinesComplete.com, Vitacost.com, American Botanical Council (Herbalgram.org), and Purplesage.org. Browse Sections \| View Gentian products