Gentian
OTHER NAME(S): Bitter Root, Bitterwort, Gall Weed, Gelber Enzian, Geneciana, Gentianae Radix, Gentiane Acaule, Gentiane Jaune, Gentiane Pâle, Gentiane Sans Tige, Gentiane Sauvage, Grande Gentiane, Great Yellow Gentian, Gullgentiana, Pale Gentian, Qinjiao, Racine Amère, Stemless Gentian, Yellow Centiyane, Yellow Gentian, Wild Gentian, Gentiana lutea, Gentiana acaulis, Gentiana kochiana, Gentiana, Genciana, Gentiane
Overview
Gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a plant that grows in the mountains in Europe. It's often known as bitter wort or bitter root. Its roots are used as medicine.
Gentian contains chemicals that might reduce blood pressure by widening blood vessels. It might also have effects that reduce appetite.
People use gentian for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse gentian with Canadian hemp, which is also called bitter root. These are not the same. Also note that the highly toxic white hellebore (Veratrum album) can be misidentified as gentian. It has caused accidental poisoning when used in homemade preparations.
Uses
We currently have no information for Gentian overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Gentian root preparations are commonly consumed in foods. Gentian root is possibly safe when used in a specific combination product containing gentian root, elderflower, verbana, cowslip flower, and sorrel (SinuComp, Sinupret). It seems to be well-tolerated. Side effects might include skin reactions and stomach upset. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if gentian is safe or what the side effects might be when taken as medicine alone.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information to know if gentian is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Gentian root preparations are commonly consumed in foods. Gentian root is possibly safe when used in a specific combination product containing gentian root, elderflower, verbana, cowslip flower, and sorrel (SinuComp, Sinupret). It seems to be well-tolerated. Side effects might include skin reactions and stomach upset. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if gentian is safe or what the side effects might be when taken as medicine alone.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information to know if gentian is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gentian is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Gentian might affect blood pressure, which might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using gentian at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with GentianGentian might lower blood pressure. Taking gentian along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of gentian might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.
References
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- 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
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- Toriumi Y, Kakuda R, Kikuchi M, et al. New triterpenoids from Gentiana lutea. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2003;51:89-91.
- 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.
- Haraguchi H, Tanaka Y, Kabbash A, et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors from Gentiana lutea. Phytochemistry 2004;65:2255-60.
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- 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.
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- Wang, C. H., Cheng, X. M., Bligh, S. W., White, K. N., Branford-White, C. J., and Wang, Z. T. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gentiopicroside from decoctions of Gentianae and Longdan Xiegan Tang after oral administration in rats--comparison with gentiopicroside alone. J Pharm Biomed.Anal 9-3-2007;44(5):1113-1117.
- Citova, I., Ganzera, M., Stuppner, H., and Solich, P. Determination of gentisin, isogentisin, and amarogentin in Gentiana lutea L. by capillary electrophoresis. J Sep.Sci 2008;31(1):195-200.
- Amin, A. Ketoconazole-induced testicular damage in rats reduced by Gentiana extract. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2008;59(6):377-384.
- Chen, L., Liu, J. C., Zhang, X. N., Guo, Y. Y., Xu, Z. H., Cao, W., Sun, X. L., Sun, W. J., and Zhao, M. G. Down-regulation of NR2B receptors partially contributes to analgesic effects of Gentiopicroside in persistent inflammatory pain. Neuropharmacology 2008;54(8):1175-1181.
- Suzuki, O., Katsumata, Y., and Oya, M. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by isogentisin and its 3-O-glucoside. Biochem Pharmacol 1978;27(16):2075-2078.
- Borgia, M., Sepe, N., Borgia, R., and Ori-Bellometti, M. Pharmacological activity of a herb extract: a controlled clinical study. Current Therapeutic Research 1981;29:525-536.
- Akileshwari C, Muthenna P, Nastasijevic B, et al. Inhibition of aldose reductase by Gentiana lutea extracts. Exp Diabetes Res. 2012;2012:147965.
- Kesavan R, Chandel S, Upadhyay S, et al. Gentiana lutea exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by preventing endothelial inflammation and smooth muscle cell migration. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2016;26(4):293-301.
- Kesavan R, Potunuru UR, Nastasijevic B, et al. Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by Gentiana lutea root extracts. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61393.
- Berman J, Sheng Y, Gómez Gómez L, et al. Red Anthocyanins and Yellow Carotenoids Form the Color of Orange-Flower Gentian (Gentiana lutea L. var. aurantiaca). PLoS One. 2016;11(9):e0162410.
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- Sanatani M, Younus J, Stitt L, et al. Tolerability of the combination of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in patients with cancer-associated anorexia. J Complement Integr Med. 2015;12(1):57-60.
- Mennella I, Fogliano V, Ferracane R, Arlorio M, Pattarino F, Vitaglione P. Microencapsulated bitter compounds (from Gentiana lutea) reduce daily energy intakes in humans. Br J Nutr. 2016:1-10. doi: 10.1017/S0007114516003858