Gentiana lutea is a herb commonly known as gentian. It is an incredibly bitter herb that is indigenous to Central and Southern Europe. It grows up to 1.5 metres tall and is distinguished by its thick stems, ovate-shaped leaves (like a tear drop) and yellow-orange open flowers. The root of the plant offers its medicinal properties and takes 7-10 years to mature before being ready for harvest.
Its name is actually derived from a king - King Gentius of Ancient Illyria (180-167 B.C.E). He was the first to discover its therapeutic values. It was widely used in Ancient Roman and Greek medicines for similar reasons that it is still used by naturopaths and herbalists today.
Gentian is best known for its therapeutic benefits on liver and digestive health and is classified as a bitter tonic in Western herbal
medicine. Gentiopicroside and amarogentin are the two plant compounds responsible
for the plant’s bitterness.
Bitter tonics like gentian stimulate gustatory receptors in the taste buds,
resulting in saliva production, gastric juice secretion and bile secretion.
This causes one’s appetite to be stimulated and is helpful for those who tend
to feel full or bloated after eating. The production of bile is especially
important for digestion as it aids the breakdown of dietary fats and is
essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine.
Bile also helps with the movement of waste through our intestines, the fancy name
for this is ‘increased intestinal peristalsis.’
Fun fact: in Ancient times, gentian was considered helpful for bile because of its yellow flowers (yellow being associated with bile).
Many cultures recognise the value of bitter substances to support digestive function and overall health. In Holland for example, older people would celebrate the ‘bitter hour’ in the early evening – this involves enjoying bitter food and drink to support their ‘fading digestive powers.’ In India, the use of bitters is supported and recommended for anyone with liver problems. In Africa, the medicinal value of bitter herbs, especially as digestive stimulants, is commonly recognised in their traditional medical systems. Today in some restaurants, bitter drinks are taken before meals, known as ‘aperitifs.’
To put it simply, gentian gives signals to the body that it is ready to eat and digest food! For this reason, it is commonly prescribed by naturopaths and herbalists before eating, typically 15 minutes before a meal.
You can find gentian in our Herbal Fat Metaboliser supplement, thanks to it benefits on stimulating bile production, promoting bile flow from the liver and promoting gastric secretions.
References
American Botanical Council (2016), Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E, Gentian root, cited on 3.6.2020, accessed <http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/Gentianroot.html?ts=1591161620&signature=a689c16ebf30996a8c92500fb2a19ac1>
Bone K, & Mills S. 2013. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy 2nd ed. Principles of herbal pharmacology, bitters (chapter). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Edinburgh. Pp 39 - 42
Hechtman, L. 2012, “Clinical Naturopathic Medicine”, The Hepatobiliary System (chapter) Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier), NSW Australia, pp. 255-256
Thomsen, M., Gennat, H. (2009), Phytotherapy Desk Reference (4th Ed), p. 53, Global Natural Medicine Pty Ltd
