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Gentian

Gentian is a plant whose root and, less frequently, its bark are used to make medicine. Gentian is used for digestive problems and related problems such as loss of appetite, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn and vomiting. Some people use gentian to prevent muscle cramps, to treat a parasitic worm infestation, to induce menstruation and as a germicidal agent. Gentian is applied directly to the skin to treat wounds and cancer. Gentian is used in combination with elderflower, verbena, cowslip and sorrel to treat the symptoms of a sinus infection. Gentian is also used in combination with other products to treat malaria. Gentian is used as an ingredient in beverages and foods. In the field of industrial production, gentian is used as an ingredient in cosmetics. If you want to make your own gentian preparation, you should make sure you identify gentian correctly. The highly poisonous white germer can easily be mistaken for gentian and poisonings have already occurred when this plant was mistakenly used instead of gentian in homemade preparations.

How does gentian work?

Gentian contains chemicals that could dilate the blood vessels.

How effective is gentian?

Gentian may be effective when used in combination with elderflower, verbena, cowslip and sorrel to treat the symptoms of a sinus infection. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of gentian for stomach problems, high blood pressure, diarrhea, fever, heartburn, vomiting, menstrual problems and cancer. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of gentian in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Gentian appears to be safe and harmless for most people when taken orally in small amounts as part of a combination product containing gentian root, elderflower, verbena, cowslip and sorrel (Sinupret). However, there is not enough scientific data to assess whether gentian is safe and harmless in medicinal quantities and not as part of this combination product. The combination product mentioned may cause digestive discomfort and occasionally allergic skin rash as side effects. There is insufficient information on the safety and harmlessness of gentian applied to the skin.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of gentian during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid gentian.

Low blood pressure: There are concerns that the use of gentian could exacerbate low blood pressure or interfere with drug treatment for low blood pressure.

Surgeries: Because gentian can affect blood pressure, there are concerns that gentian could interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop using gentian at least 2 weeks before planned surgery.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining gentian with the following medications:

Medications for high blood pressure

Theoretically, gentian can lower blood pressure. Taking gentian in combination with medication for high blood pressure could lower blood pressure too much.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral

  • For persistent swelling of the sinuses: A specific combination product containing 12 mg gentian root and 36 mg each of elderflower, verbena, cowslip and sorrel was taken three times daily.

References

  1. Baragatti B, Calderone V, Testai L, et al. Vasodilator activity of crude methanolic extract of Gentiana kokiana Perr. et Song. (Gentianaceae). J Ethnopharmacol 2002;79:369-72.
  2. Chericoni S, Testai L, Calderone V, et al. The xanthones gentiacaulein and gentiakochianin are responsible for the vasodilator action of the roots of Gentiana kochiana. Planta Med 2003;69:770-2.
  3. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid= 786bafc6f6343634fbf79fcdca7061e1&rgn=div5&view= text&node=21:3.0.1.1.13&idno=21
  4. Haraguchi H, Tanaka Y, Kabbash A, et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors from Gentiana lutea. Phytochemistry 2004;65:2255-60.
  5. Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
  6. Neubauer N, Marz RW. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clincal trial with Sinupret sugar coated tablets on the basis of a therapy with antibiotics and decongestant nasal drops in acute sinusitis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:177-81.
  7. Tomic M, Tovilovic G, Butorovic B, et al. Neuropharmacological evaluation of diethylether extract and xanthones of Gentiana kochiana. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2005;81:535-42.
  8. Toriumi Y, Kakuda R, Kikuchi M, et al. New triterpenoids from Gentiana lutea. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2003;51:89-91.
  9. Uncini Manganelli RE, Chericoni S, Baragatti B. Ethnopharmacobotany in Tuscany: plants used as antihypertensives. Fitoterapia 2000;71:S95-100.
  10. Zagler B, Zelger A, Salvatore C, et al. Dietary poisoning with Veratrum album--a report of two cases. Vienna Klin Wochenschr 2005;117:106-8.