Gentiana lutea

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Gentiana lutea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Gentianaceae
Genus:	Gentiana
Species:	G. lutea
Binomial name
Gentiana lutea L.

Gentiana lutea, the great yellow gentian, is a species of

Gentian root has a long history of use as an herbal bitter and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. The parts used include the dried, underground parts of the plant and the fresh, above-ground parts. The root, which can be over 5 cm (2.0 in) thick and has few branches, is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. Caution should be exercised as to its use because it is endangered,^{[citation needed]} and the closely related Centaurium erythraea shares many of its constituents and actions.^{[citation needed]}

The name is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who was thought^[1] to have found out that the herb had tonic properties.

In veterinary pharmacopeia in the 1860s, gentian root or gentian radix was considered useful as a tonic and stomachic.^[2][3]

Extracts of gentian root can be found in the

The European Gentian Association in Lausanne has the objective to develop the knowledge and uses of yellow gentian and other species of Gentianaceae.

Gentiana lutea is depicted on the

The bitter principles of gentian root are secoiridoid glycosides amarogentin and gentiopicrin. The former is one of the most bitter natural compounds known^[5] and is used as a scientific basis for measuring bitterness.

References