Centaury has been a highly valued medicinal plant since ancient times. Even Hippocrates praised this stomach herb, which still finds its use as a herbal medicine. However, its occurrence has become very rare, so this plant is now under strict protection of nature and may not be collected in Germany.
Occurrence and cultivation of centaury.
Today, the plant genus is native to about 20 species, especially in the Mediterranean region of Europe, and also in Asia and Africa. Centaury belongs to the gentian family. According to legend, it got its botanical name Centaurium from the medicinal centaur Chiron, who is said to have healed the festering wounds of his horse’s legs with this plant. The German name probably comes from a mistranslation of the word syllable centum (hundred) and thus became the Tausendgüldenkraut. The annual to biennial plant can reach a height of 40 cm. From the taproot develops a square stem with a ground-covering rosette of leaves and lance-shaped, pointed leaves. From June to September, the pale pink flowers of the phantom umbels open only at sunny temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. However, they close up when it rains. Centaury prefers loamy, calcareous compacted soils on roadsides, meadows or forest clearings. But it can also be found on dry slopes, on boggy or sandy subsoils. Today the plant genus is native with about 20 species especially in the Mediterranean region of Europe, furthermore in Asia and Africa. In North America, it is cultivated as a medicinal plant.
Effect and application
For medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant except the root are used from the flowering herb. Centaury belongs to the group of amara – drugs containing bitter substances. With a bitter value of 1:3500 (in a 3500-fold dilution a bitter taste would still be noticeable) it is only surpassed by the yellow gentian (1:10000). In addition, flavonoids, xanthones, triterpenes and essential oils are found in the plant as natural substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the bitter compounds are the elements that pharmacologically account for the highest degree of action. They trigger increased secretion of saliva and digestive juices. The taste buds of the base of the tongue are activated, irritating the vagus nerve. This 10th cranial nerve runs from the brain to the abdomen. There it stimulates the glandular cells of the stomach to release more hydrochloric acid and pepsinogens. The liver, gall bladder and pancreas are stimulated in their activity. When the bitter substances have reached the stomach, the hormone gastrin is also released. It also stimulates the production of digestive juices and the motor activity of the stomach. The resulting acidity provides optimal conditions for enzyme work. The nutrients are broken down and fed to their active areas. Thus, overall, the bitter substances stimulate the appetite, digestion is generally accelerated and the absorption of nutrients is promoted. The intake of centaury as a herbal medicine in this area should always be in the form of teas or tinctures. Tablets, dragées or capsules, on the other hand, should be rejected because they cannot appeal to the taste buds. Furthermore, the herb is processed in gastric bitters or medicinal wines. In addition to its pharmacological action, centaury has phytotherapeutic significance in many ways. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, circulatory regulating, blood pressure lowering and invigorating; it stimulates the whole metabolism. During scientific research, another group of substances was discovered in centaury, which suggests a positive influence on cancer. These substances are the so-called eustomins. They are substances that can protect against tumors by inhibiting cancer-promoting activities. The findings regarding the effectiveness against the cancerous condition are not yet conclusively secured.
Significance for health, treatment, and prevention.
The explanations about the mode of action show on the health level many areas in which centaury can develop its healing activity preventively or acutely:
The standard approval exists as a herbal stomach and intestinal remedy. The main area of application is the digestive system. The stomach herb helps with bloating, heartburn and flatulence, as well as acute or chronic digestive problems and mild diabetes.But it also counteracts loss of appetite and finds its supportive use in anorexia and eating disorders. Viral infections are successfully treated, fever can be reduced. (The plant is also known as feverfew.) In addition, the plant is used against mild bladder problems. After long recovery periods and severe states of exhaustion centaury unfolds its restorative effect. It is also used to disinfect poorly healing wounds. Here the antibacterial essential oils unfold their effectiveness. Especially for the digestive system, it can be used as a tonic, bitters, medicinal wine or tea. It is available ready-mixed in stores, but you can also make a tea at home from a cold extract. For this, 1g = 1 tsp of the herb is taken to 1 cup of cold water. The infusion time is 6-10 hours. A tablespoon is taken half an hour before the main meals, so that the effect can develop. Since the bitter substances are sensitive to heat, such a cold extract is the first choice. For a warm tea, the leaves should only be over-brewed. Both types of preparation should only be drunk unsweetened. Poultices are used for inflammations and skin rashes. A clean cloth is soaked in the described cold extract and placed on the wound. Alternatively, the coarsely crushed leaves can be taken. Tablets, dragées and capsules are given especially for bladder ailments, since the digestive tract is not directly affected. Usually, one receives a combination preparation that brings together various medicinal plants. In addition, the Bach flower Centaury is used for ailments that are more likely to be caused by mental instability. It can be purchased ready-mixed in pharmacies and should be given several times a day with four drops directly on the tongue. Centaury has continuously expanded its areas of application as an effective medicinal plant to this day. In the most diverse ways, the plant finds its healthy use in various forms of administration, although some areas have not yet been conclusively researched.
