Centaury – Centaurus umbellatum Gilib.

Duhletnee or annual herb up to 30-35 cm, families gorechavkovыh (Gentian). It grows in middle and southern strip of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, rarely in Central Asia and the Ukraine. Medical raw material is a herb centaury.

Centaury – chemical composition

Centaury herb contains bitter glycosides (gentiopicrin, eritaurin, eritrotsentaurin et al.), alkaloid gencianin, ascorbic acid and oleanolic, essential oil, mucus, etc..

Centaury – Pharmacological properties

Centaury is used as the bitterness to excite the appetite and improve digestion. The plant stimulates the secretion of digestive glands, increases peristalsis of the bowel and has a laxative effect. In experimental studies found, gentsianin alkaloid that has anthelminthic properties.

Centaury – medical applications

Grass centaury umbrella used as a decoction, infusions for gastritis with decreased secretion, in some dyspepsia, meteorism, liver diseases, gallbladder and kidneys, Sometimes as a sedative.

Grass centaury is a part of the stomach and the mouth-watering charges, and is also used for making bitters, contains, but grass centaury, rhizome calamus swamp, wormwood grass and leaves of bean trefoil. In high doses, the drug can cause centaury indigestion.

Centaury – Dosage Forms, Dosing and Administration

Bitter tincture. Obtained from 60 parts of herbs centaury, 60 parts leaf shamrock, 30 parts rhizome, 30 parts herb wormwood, 15 parts of tangerine peel, alcohol 40 % in an amount sufficient for making (by percolation) 1 l tinctures. Clear liquid brownish, bitter spicy taste, fragrant odor.

Assign inside of 10-20 drops 2-3 times a day for 15-20 minutes before meals to increase appetite and improve digestion.

Infusion of herbs centaury: 10 g (2 tablespoons) raw material is placed in an enamel bowl, Pour 200 ml (1 glass) hot boiled water, capped and heated in boiling water (in a water bath) 15 m, cooled 45 min at room temperature, filter, the remaining raw materials squeeze. The volume of the resulting infusion was adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion stored in a cool place no more than 2 d.

Take in the form of heat for 1 / 2-1 / 3 cup 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before eating as bitterness to excite the appetite and improve digestion with reduced gastrointestinal function- gastrointestinal tract.

Grass stored in dry, cool place.