Centaury
OTHER NAME(S): Bitterbloom, Bitter Clover, Bitter Herb, Canchalagua, Centaurea Menor, Centaury Gentian, Centaury Gentian, Centory, Christ's Ladder, Common Centaury, Drug Centaurium, Érythrée, Eyebright, Feverwort, Filwort, Lesser Centauru, Minor Centaury, Petite-Centaurée, Petite Centaurée Commune, Petite Centaurée en Ombelle, Petite Centaurée Rouge, Rose Pink, Wild Succory, Centaurium erythraea, Erythraea centaurium, Centaurium minus, Centaurium umbellatum, Centaura Menor, Petite-centaurée
Overview
Centaury is an herb. People dry the parts that grow above the ground and use them as medicine.
Centaury is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), loss of appetite (anorexia), and indigestion (dyspepsia), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In food and beverages, centaury is used as a flavoring.
Centaury contains chemicals that might reduce inflammation.
Centaury contains chemicals that might reduce inflammation.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Loss of appetite (anorexia).
- Kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of centaury for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Centaury is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in medicinal amounts.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Centaury is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in medicinal amounts.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Centaury is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if centaury is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Centaury overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of centaury depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for centaury. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Martynyuk L, Martynyuk L, Ruzhitska O, Martynyuk O. Effect of the herbal combination Canephron N on diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus: results of a comparative cohort study. J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(6):472-478.
- Valentão P, Fernandes E, Carvalho F, et al. Hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea) infusion. A comparative study with green tea (Camellia sinensis). Phytomedicine. 2003;10(6-7):517-22.