Gentian: Health Benefits, Medicial Uses, Side Effects

Gentian is originally from France, Spain and the Balkan countries. On a small scale, cultivation takes place in France and Germany. Despite the existing protection of the species, the plant populations are endangered in some regions, as there is high demand for gentian as a medicine and especially in the spirits industry. Therefore, efforts to cultivate it are currently being promoted.

Medicinally, the roots and rhizomes (rootstocks) of gentian are used.

Gentian: special characteristics

Gentian is a perennial mountain plant up to 1.5 m tall, with a strong rhizome and large, oval, blue-green leaves. The powerful flower shoots with yellow flowers stand in umbels in the axils of the cupped bracts.

Several species of gentian are used as a source of drugs. Since gentian is protected in Germany, only plants from cultivation areas may be used.

The drug consists of brownish and reddish-brown roots up to several centimeters thick and often also portions of rhizomes. The roots are longitudinally furrowed; if cut transversely, the relatively narrow bark can often be seen.

Smell and taste of gentian root.

Gentian root emits a faint and peculiarly sweet odor reminiscent of dried figs. The taste of gentian root is sweet at first, but then turns into an intensely bitter taste.