Gentian, Great Yellow
|
Botanical Name |
Gentiana lutea |
|
Family |
Gentianaceae |
|
Other Names |
Bald Mary, bitter root, felwort |
|
Habitat |
Hilly pastures, woods, mountains |
|
Description |
Perennial hairless up to 1.5m, simple hollow stems. Leaves to 30cm long, opposite and strong veins Flowers: yellow July-August |
|
Native to |
Europe |
|
Parts used |
Root, rhizome |
|
Harvesting |
Autumn |
|
Preserving |
Sliced and dried slowly |
|
Actions |
Appetizer, bitter, digestive, gastric stimulant , tonic |
|
Constituents |
Bitter principle including gentiopicrin and amarogentine; pectin, tannin, mucilage, sugar Iridoids –amarogentin, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin Xanthones –gentisein, gentisin, isogentisin, 1, 3, 7 trimethoxyxanthone Alkaloids –gentianine, gentialutine Phenolic acids –gentisic, caffeic, protocatechuic, syringic acid, sinapic acid |
|
Combines with |
Ginger, cardamom |
|
Digestive |
Dyspepsia, flatulence |
|
Other Notes |
Named after the ancient king Gentius who lived in Yugoslavia in the first century BC |
|
Cautions |
Do not take if suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers Protected species |
Gentian Purple
|
Botanical Name |
Gentiana purpurea |
|
Family |
Gentian |
|
Habitat |
Mountains |
|
Description |
Hairless perennial, erect up to 60cm/2ft. Hollow stem Leaves opposite, ovate with 5 veins Lower leaves stalked Flowers in clusters of 5-10 july-September |
|
Native to |
Alps |
|
Constituents |
Glycosides gentiopicrin and amarogentin |
|
Cautions |
Protected species do not collect |