Gentiana lutea.   Yellow Gentian, European Gentian   Family: Gentianaceae   
G. acaulis- Stemless Gentian  
G. campestris- Field Gentian  
PART USED: Root and rhizome- Collected in late Summer and Autumn and slowly dried until the characteristic odor develops.
TASTE: Bitter
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs Influencing Nutrition- Bitters. Bitter tonic.[1,2,3]
1. Cholagogue.[1]
2. Sialogogue.[1]
3. Gastric stimulant.[1,2,3]
4. Aperitive.
INDICATIONS- The most popular of all bitter tonics used to improve digestion.
1. Anorexia.[1] Dyspepsia - especially with anorexia.[2,3] Gastro-intestinal atony.[1,2,3] Atonic dyspepsia.[1] Heartburn.[3] Gastritis.[3] Nausea.[3] Diarrhea.[3] Stimulate the appetite.[3]
2. Liver disorders including jaundice and biliousness.
3. Reproductive tonic (female).
4. Convulsions Gout.
5. Debility. Convalescence.  Anemia. Vertigo fainting.
6. Spleen disorders. Fevers especially malaria.
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Dyspepsia with anorexia.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Gentian should be combined with an aromatic.[2]
- Combines well with Ginger, Cardamon and Rhubarb.[1]
PREPARATIONS
Powdered underground parts  0.6-2 g,[1,3] or by infusion.[1,2,3]
Fluid extract 1:1 25% alcohol  0.5-2 ml.[1]  45% alcohol.[4]
Tincture 1:5  45% alcohol  1-4 ml.[1,2,3]

ORIGIN: Mountainous part of Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Rhizome: Occurs in commerce as cylindrical pieces, 2-4 cm in diameter, yellowish-brown or brown externally. The upper part, or rhizome, often bears encircling leaf scars and the lower part is longitudinally wrinkled. Fracture short and hard, showing a transverse surface which is orange-brown with a dark ring of cambium.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Gentiopicroside has been shown to stimulate gastric secretion in animals.[1]
Gentian extract is reported to be choleretic.[2]
References
[1] Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica Vol1, Ed. H. Chan and P. But. Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
[2] Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY

Yellow Gentian: A Comprehensive Review
Prakash O, Singh R, Kumar S, Srivastava S, Ved A. GentianaluteaLin.J Ayu Herb Med 2017;3(3):175-181.

Antimicrobial activity of Gentiana lutea L. extracts.
Savikin K, Menkovic N, Zdunic G, Stevic T, Radanovic D, Jankovic T.
Abstract
Methanolic extracts of flowers and leaves of Gentiana lutea L., together with the isolated compounds mangiferin, isogentisin and gentiopicrin, were used to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the plant. A variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as the yeast Candida albicans has been included in this study. Both extracts and isolated compounds showed antimicrobial activity with MIC values ranging from 0.12-0.31 mg/ml. Our study indicated that the synergistic activity of the pure compounds may be responsible for the good antimicrobial effect of the extracts. Quantification of the secondary metabolites was performed using HPLC.
PMID: 19678535 Z Naturforsch C. 2009 May-Jun;64(5-6):339-42. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra on the central nervous system in mice.
Oztürk N, Baser KH, Aydin S, Oztürk Y, Calis I.
Abstract
A methanolic extact of Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra roots has been investigated for its possible effects on the central nervous system of mice. At doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg (i.p.), the methanol extract of Gentiana roots caused a significant increase in the swimming endurance test and exhibited slight analgesic activity, but no lethality in mice suggesting some activity on the central nervous system. However, there was no indication of sedation or muscular fatigue at the doses employed. HPLC analysis showed that three secoiridoid compounds, gentiopicroside, swertiamarine and sweroside were present and may have been responsible for the CNS effects of the methanol extract of Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra roots.
PMID: 12410542 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.998
Phytother Res. 2002 Nov;16(7):627-31. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Free radical scavenging activities of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) measured by electron spin resonance.
Kusar A, Zupancic A, Sentjurc M, Baricevic D.
Abstract
Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) is a herbal species with a long-term use in traditional medicine due to its digestive and stomachic properties. This paper presents an investigation of the free radical scavenging activity of methanolic extracts of yellow gentian leaves and roots in two different systems using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. Assays were based on the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the superoxide radicals (O2*-) generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system. The results of gentian methanolic extracts were compared with the antioxidant capacity of synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). This study proves that yellow gentian leaves and roots exhibit considerable antioxidant properties, expressed either by their capability to scavenge DPPH or superoxide radicals.
PMID: 17165626 DOI: 10.1177/096032706072467
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2006 Oct;25(10):599-604.  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
The Herbal Bitter Drug Gentiana lutea Modulates Lipid Synthesis in Human Keratinocytes In Vitro and In Vivo
Ute Wölfle,* Birgit Haarhaus, Jasmin Seiwerth, Anja Cawelius, Kay Schwabe, Karl-Werner Quirin, and Christoph M. Schempp
Abstract
Gentiana lutea is a herbal bitter drug that is used to enhance gastrointestinal motility and secretion. Recently we have shown that amarogentin, a characteristic bitter compound of Gentiana lutea extract (GE), binds to the bitter taste receptors TAS2R1 and TAS2R38 in human keratinocytes, and stimulates the synthesis of epidermal barrier proteins. Here, we wondered if GE also modulates lipid synthesis in human keratinocytes. To address this issue, human primary keratinocytes were incubated for 6 days with GE. Nile Red labeling revealed that GE significantly increased lipid synthesis in keratinocytes. Similarly, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector indicated that GE increases the amount of triglycerides in keratinocytes. GE induced the expression of epidermal ceramide synthase 3, but not sphingomyelinase. Lipid synthesis, as well as ceramide synthase 3 expression, could be specifically blocked by inhibitors of the p38 MAPK and PPAR? signaling pathway. To assess if GE also modulates lipid synthesis in vivo, we performed a proof of concept half side comparison on the volar forearms of 33 volunteers. In comparison to placebo, GE significantly increased the lipid content of the treated skin areas, as measured with a sebumeter. Thus, GE enhances lipid synthesis in human keratinocytes that is essential for building an intact epidermal barrier. Therefore, GE might be used to improve skin disorders with an impaired epidermal barrier, e.g., very dry skin and atopic eczema. 
Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Aug; 18(8): 1814.
Published online 2017 Aug 22. doi: 10.3390/ijms18081814
PMCID: PMC5578200
PMID: 28829355 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov