Great yellow gentian

A herbaceous perennial plant native to mountain regions grows alone or in a group, of a glaucous green that can reach a height of 2 metres. Its root is long and fleshy. It has upright stems, without branches. Its leaves are opposite, simple, lance-shaped, with petioles (lower leaves) or sessile attached to the stem (upper leaves) and with protruding longitudinal veins that converge at the top of the limb. Its flowers are golden yellow with an ovoid capsule enclosing a multitude of seeds.

Latin name

Gentiana lutea L.

Origin

France (Vosges, Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees), Spain, the Balkan countries (most frequently between 1000 and 2500m altitude).

Used part

The root.

Active components

Secoiridoids (amarogentin, sweroside): these substances are responsible for the bitterness. They stimulate the production of gastric juices via the vagus nerve and, consequently, have a stimulant effect on the digestion. They protect the liver against the aggression of toxins.

Alkaloids (gentiannine, gentianidine): a bitter flavour, anti-inflammatory and calming action.

Flavonoids (isovitexin): antioxidant and calming action.

Usage

In the past, gentian root was used as a flavouring in the production of beer, before the use of hops became common. Gentian was also used in the Middle Ages as an antidote to certain poisons. Gentian root has a long history of use as a bitter tonic in the treatment of digestive disorders and other conditions. For example, liver problems, indigestion, gastric infections and loss of appetite. Today, it is a principal ingredient in numerous bitter aperitifs, liqueurs and carbonated drinks. Gentian root extract improves digestive comfort after a heavy meal. It promotes digestion and combats digestive disorders such as a loss of appetite, fullness and flatulence. It has stimulating and toning properties that contribute to the resistance against mental and physical fatigue._1-11

Bibliographical references

Community herbal monograph on Gentiana lutea l., Radix
Committee On Herbal Medicinal Products (Hmpc)
Doc. Ref.: EMA/HMPC/578324/2008
EMEA: http://www.emea.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2010/03/WC500075295.pdf
Smooth muscle relaxing activity of gentiopicroside isolated from Gentiana spathacea.
Rojas A, Bah M, Rojas JI, Gutiérrez DM.
Planta Med. 2000 Dec;66(8):765-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11199140
Phytochemicals of Gentianaceae: A Review of Pharmacological Properties
Amritpal Singh
Herbal division, Ind-Swift Ltd, Chandigar, India.
Pharma Book Syndicate: http://www.pharmabooksyndicate.com/issues/33.pdf
Bitterness values for traditional tonic plants of southern Africa.
Olivier DK, van Wyk BE.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun 3;147(3):676-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23545459
Antimicrobial activity of Gentiana lutea L. extracts.
Savikin K, Menković N, Zdunić G, Stević T, Radanović D, Janković T.
Z Naturforsch C. 2009 May-Jun;64(5-6):339-42.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19678535
Quantitative analysis of iridoids, secoiridoids, xanthones and xanthone glycosides in Gentiana lutea L. roots by RP-HPLC and LC-MS.
Aberham A, Schwaiger S, Stuppner H, Ganzera M.
J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007 Nov 5;45(3):437-42.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17697760
Free radical scavenging activities of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) measured by electron spin resonance.
Kusar A, Zupancic A, Sentjurc M, Baricevic D.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2006 Oct;25(10):599-604.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17165626
In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Mahady GB, Pendland SL, Stoia A, Hamill FA, Fabricant D, Dietz BM, Chadwick LR.
Phytother Res. 2005 Nov;19(11):988-91.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16317658
Choleretic activity of Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra in rats.
Oztürk N, Herekman-Demir T, Oztürk Y, Bozan B, Başer KH.
Phytomedicine. 1998 Aug;5(4):283-8.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195900
Chemical profile, radical scavenging and cytotoxic activity of yellow gentian leaves (Genitaneae luteaefolium) grown in northern regions of Montenegro.
Balijagić J, Janković T, Zdunić G, Bosković J, Savikin K, Godevac D, Stanojković T, Jovancević M, Menković N.
Nat Prod Commun. 2012 Nov;7(11):1487-90.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23285813
Effects of Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra on the central nervous system in mice.
Oztürk N, Başer KH, Aydin S, Oztürk Y, Caliş I.
Phytother Res. 2002 Nov;16(7):627-31.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12410542

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