Gentian yellow

Gentian family

The yellow gentian belongs to the gentian family. The plant grows up to 1.40 m high, with finger-thick, hollow stems, elliptical leaves, yellow flowers and pointed conical capsule fruits up to 6 cm long with numerous seeds. It flowers from June to August.

The quality of gentian root (Gentianae radix) is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

In addition to the rootstock (rhizome), the roots, which can grow up to 1 m long (gentian root - Gentianae radix), are also used phytotherapeutically.

HMPC monograph: Traditional use: loss of appetite, mild dyspeptic, gastrointestinal complaints
ESCOP monograph: bitter remedy, loss of appetite, digestive complaints
Commission e-monograph: loss of appetite, digestive complaints, dyspeptic complaints, bloating, flatulence.

Empirical medicine: Stomach remedy for stomach pressure, for cleansing and for weakness of the stomach.

Gentian is also traded in the form of tea, extract, fluid extract, tincture and wine preparations. The root can be used to make brandy, the alcoholic aqueous extracts of the root contain bitter substances, which is why it is often used for the production of aperitif drinks (Alpine bitters, gentian bitters), as an essence in herbal liqueurs, bitters and for distilling gentian schnapps.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/enzian.php
2. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 101-102
3. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industriepflanzen/arzneipflanzen/pflanzen-datenbank

4. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practitioners. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 287-289