Gentian Tincture

Yellow Gentian Root (Gentiana lutea)

Main Constituents

• Bitter principles of the secoiridoid type, up to 4%: gentiopicroside together with amarogentin, sweroside and swertiamarin
• Gentiopicroside, 2-3% is quantitatively prediominant but amarogentin, 0.025 - 0.05%, has a bitterness value some 5000 times greater and thus accounts for most of the bitterness

Actions

• bitter
• digestive stimulant
• mild antidepressant

The secoiridoid bitter principles, especially amarogentin, stimulate gustatory receptors in the taste buds, causing a reflex increase in saliva and gastric juice and thus the stimulation of the appetite. See our article on bitters for some more general information.

Main Indications

• lack of appetitie
• anorexia
• gastro-intestinal atony
• atonic dyspepsia
• general digestive tonic
• bloating and flatulence