Gentian Root

from $11.00

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Traditional medicinal uses

Historically, gentian root (most commonly Gentiana lutea) has been used to treat a variety of ailments, though more scientific research is needed to validate many of these applications. 

  • Aids digestion and stimulates appetite: Gentian root is most famously used as a digestive tonic. The bitter compounds stimulate the tongue's taste buds, which reflexively triggers the production of saliva and digestive juices, including gastric acid and bile. This can help improve appetite, reduce bloating, and soothe indigestion.

  • Supports liver and gallbladder health: By stimulating bile production, gentian root is traditionally used to aid the liver's natural detoxification processes and support overall liver and gallbladder function.

  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Some animal and test-tube studies show that compounds in gentian root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. This is why it has been historically used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and is found in some topical creams for skin conditions like eczema.

  • Treats sinus infections: Gentian root is an ingredient in Sinupret, a popular German herbal medicine for sinusitis. It is combined with other herbs like elderflower and verbena to help promote mucus drainage and reduce inflammation in the sinuses.

  • Other traditional applications: Gentian has been used in various forms to treat fever, stomach pains, menstrual irregularities, and infected wounds. 

Common consumption methods

The most common ways to consume gentian root include: 

  • Teas and infusions: Dried gentian root is steeped in hot water to create a bitter beverage. Drinking it before meals is recommended to stimulate digestion.

  • Tinctures and liquid extracts: A more concentrated form, extracts or tinctures can be added to water or other drinks.

  • Herbal supplements: Gentian is also available in capsule or powdered supplement form.

  • Digestive bitters and liqueurs: The root is a key bittering agent in many alcoholic beverages, including Amaro, Angostura bitters, Aperol, and some vermouths. It is also the main flavoring in the soft drink Moxie. 

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100% ORGANIC

Traditional medicinal uses

Historically, gentian root (most commonly Gentiana lutea) has been used to treat a variety of ailments, though more scientific research is needed to validate many of these applications. 

  • Aids digestion and stimulates appetite: Gentian root is most famously used as a digestive tonic. The bitter compounds stimulate the tongue's taste buds, which reflexively triggers the production of saliva and digestive juices, including gastric acid and bile. This can help improve appetite, reduce bloating, and soothe indigestion.

  • Supports liver and gallbladder health: By stimulating bile production, gentian root is traditionally used to aid the liver's natural detoxification processes and support overall liver and gallbladder function.

  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Some animal and test-tube studies show that compounds in gentian root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. This is why it has been historically used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and is found in some topical creams for skin conditions like eczema.

  • Treats sinus infections: Gentian root is an ingredient in Sinupret, a popular German herbal medicine for sinusitis. It is combined with other herbs like elderflower and verbena to help promote mucus drainage and reduce inflammation in the sinuses.

  • Other traditional applications: Gentian has been used in various forms to treat fever, stomach pains, menstrual irregularities, and infected wounds. 

Common consumption methods

The most common ways to consume gentian root include: 

  • Teas and infusions: Dried gentian root is steeped in hot water to create a bitter beverage. Drinking it before meals is recommended to stimulate digestion.

  • Tinctures and liquid extracts: A more concentrated form, extracts or tinctures can be added to water or other drinks.

  • Herbal supplements: Gentian is also available in capsule or powdered supplement form.

  • Digestive bitters and liqueurs: The root is a key bittering agent in many alcoholic beverages, including Amaro, Angostura bitters, Aperol, and some vermouths. It is also the main flavoring in the soft drink Moxie. 

Gentiana (/ˌdʒɛntʃiˈeɪnə/)[2] is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With over 300 species, it is considered a large genus. Gentians are notable for their mostly large trumpet-shaped flowers, which are often of an intense blue hue, though some are also bright yellow.[3] The type species of the genus is Gentiana lutea.[4]

The genus name is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who may have discovered tonic properties in gentians.[5]

Pharmacological uses

Great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is used in herbal medicine for digestive problems, fever, hypertension, muscle spasms, parasitic worms, wounds, cancer, sinusitis, and malaria,[13] although studies have shown minimal efficacy beyond that of a placebo with regard to the treatment of anxiety and ADHD in children.[14][15][16] Gentian has been shown to manage dyspepsia by eliciting cephalic responses that increase vascular resistance and reduce the workload of the heart during digestion.[17]

Gentiana punctata leaves and roots have been used in traditional Austrian medicine internally and externally as liqueur or tea for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, locomotor system, liver, and bile, and for pediatric problems, fever, flu, rheumatism, and gout.[18]

Gentiana purpurea, Gentiana punctata, and Gentiana pannonica are used to produce gentian schnapps, traditionally used as a digestive aid. In Ayurvedic medicine the endangered Indian gentian Gentiana kurroo has been used as a medical herb, but has been replaced with the Himalayan plant Picrorhiza kurroa, or Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora from traditional Chinese medicine.

Symbolism

Coat of arms of the German-speaking Community of Belgium

The emblem of the Minamoto clan

The gentian flower was used as the emblem of the Minamoto clan, one of the four great clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period and went on to establish the first Shogunate in the aftermath of the Genpei War.[citation needed] It is the official flower (called Enzian) of the German-speaking community of Belgium