Gentiana lutea: Difference between revisions

{{Unreferenced|date=March 2009}}

{{italictitle}}

{{taxobox

|name = ''Gentiana lutea''

|image = Gentiana lutea 230705.jpg

|regnum = [[Plantae]]

|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]

|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]

|unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]

|ordo = [[Gentianales]]

|familia = [[Gentianaceae]]

|genus = ''[[Gentian]]a''

|species = '''''G. lutea'''''

|binomial = ''Gentiana lutea''

|binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]

|}}

'''''Gentiana lutea''''' ('''Great Yellow Gentian''') is a species of [[gentian]] native to the [[mountain]]s of central and southern [[Europe]]. Other names include 'Yellow Gentian', 'Bitter Root', 'Bitterwort', 'Centiyane', and 'Genciana'.

==Growth==

It is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]], growing to 1-2 m tall, with broad lanceolate to elliptic [[leaf|leaves]] 10-30 cm long and 4-12 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are yellow, with the [[Corolla (flower)|corolla]] separated nearly to the base into 5-7 narrow petals. It grows in grassy [[Alpine climate|alpine]] and sub-alpine pastures, usually on [[calcareous]] soils.

==Uses==

[[Image:Koeh-066.jpg|thumb|left|''Gentiana lutea'']]

It is remarkable for the intensely bitter properties residing in the root and every part of the herbage, hence they are valuable tonic medicines. The root is the principal vegetable bitter employed in medicine, though the roots of several other species are said to be equally efficacious. Before the introduction of hops, Gentian, with many other bitter herbs, was used occasionally in [[brewing]]. It is a principal ingredient in [[House of Angostura|Angostura]] [[bitters]].[http://www.herbsforhealth.com/index.php?page=article&do=view&id=bitters_beverages_moxie]

The [[medicinal]] parts are the dried, underground parts of the plant and the fresh, above-ground parts.

The name is a tribute to an [[Gentius]], an Illyrian king who was thought<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=bffkmpjLa8EC&pg=PA763&dq=Gentiana+gentius&hl=el&cd=2#v=onepage&q=Gentiana%20gentius&f=false A manual of the flowering plants of California

by Willis Linn Jepson]</ref> to have found out that the herbs had tonic properties. . It was used in the [[Middle Ages]] as an antidote to certain poisons.

Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. The bitter principles of gentian root are secoiridoid [[glycoside|glycosides]] amarogentin and gentiopicrin. The former is one of the most [[bitter]] natural compounds known<ref>[http://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/gentiana_lutea/index.htm Heilpflanzen:Gentiana lutea] ('''German''')</ref> and is used as a scientific basis for measuring bitterness.

Its blossoms are very similar to the Amnara Senczaina flowertips: a pale creamy, icy color and white/hazel tipped. They sometimes have red spots on the inner side, and plants with these are said to ease breathe if cooked and vapors are smelt.

It was considered especially useful in states of exhaustion from [[chronic disease]] and in all cases of [[debility]], weakness of the digestive system and lack of appetite. It was also considered one of the best fortifiers of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and [[digestive system]], and was thought to be an excellent tonic to combine with a [[purgative]] in order to prevent its debilitating effects.

===Chemical constituents===

The root is [[anthelmintic]], [[anti-inflammatory]], [[antiseptic]], [[bitter tonic]], [[cholagogue]], [[emmenagogue]], [[febrifuge]], refrigerant and [[stomachic]]. It is taken [[internally]] in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, [[gastric infections]] and [[anorexia (symptom)|anorexia]]. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal [[peptic ulcer|ulcers]]. The root, which can be over 5 cm thick and has few branches, is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in [[medicinal properties]]. Caution should be exercised as to its use because it is endangered, and the closely related [[Centaurium erythraea]] shares many of its constituents and actions.

The ''Gentiana lutea'' is depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Albanian 2000 [[Albanian lek|lekë]] banknote, issued in 2008, that also depicts king Gentius on its [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]].<ref>[http://www.bankofalbania.org Bank of Albania]. Currency: [http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Albanian_banknotes_issue_from_Bank_of_Albania_202_2.php Banknotes in circulation]. – Retrieved on 23 March 2009.</ref>

[[Image:Amarogentin_gentiopicrin.png|thumb|right|400px|Amarogentin and gentiopicrin, the bitter glycosides from gentian root]]

Extracts of gentian root can be found in the [[United States|American]] [[soft drink]] [[Moxie]], and are attributed to its unique flavor. It is also used in France to produce a Limousin speciality liqueur and aperitif, with plants gathered from the Auvergne area.

The European Gentian Association in Lausanne "[[Cercle Européen d'Etude des Gentianacées]]" has for objective to develop the knowledge and the uses of the yellow gentian and other species of Gentianaceae.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons|Gentiana lutea}}

*[http://www.medicinenet.com/gentian_gentiana_lutea-oral/article.htm GENTIAN (Gentiana Lutea) - ORAL side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.]

*[http://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/gentiana_lutea/index.htm Heilpflanzen: Gentiana lutea - Gelber Enzian] {{de icon}}

*[http://www.stridvall.se/flowers/gallery/Gentianiaceae?page=2 Flower Gallery :: Gentianaceae]

[[Category:Gentiana]]

[[Category:Flora of Europe]]

[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

[[bg:Жълта тинтява]]

[[ca:Genciana]]

[[de:Gelber Enzian]]

[[es:Gentiana lutea]]

[[eo:Flava genciano]]

[[fr:Gentiane jaune]]

[[hsb:Žołty hórkowc]]

[[it:Gentiana lutea]]

[[hu:Sárga tárnics]]

[[ms:Gentiana lutea]]

[[nl:Gele gentiaan]]

[[ja:ゲンチアナ]]

[[pl:Goryczka żółta]]

[[pt:Genciana-amarela]]

[[ru:Горечавка жёлтая]]

[[sk:Horec žltý]]

[[sr:Жута линцура]]

[[fi:Keltakatkero]]

[[vec:Ansiana]]