Centaury Herb Profile

Also known as

Centaurium erythrae, Bluebottle, Bluet, Cornflower, Common Centaury, Feverwort, European Centaury, Bitter Herb, Lesser Centaury, Mad Dog’s Herb, Dog Bite Herb, Stand Up and Go Away, Centre Of The Sun, Centaury Gentian, Christ's ladder, Bitter Bloom, Bitter Clover, Bitter-Rose, Centory, Chironia, Fel Terrae, Steps of Christ, Thousand Golden Leaves, Wild Succory, Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Centaurii

Introduction

Constituents

Secoiridoids (bitter principles: gentiopicrin, centapicrin, sweitiamarin, gentioflavoside), Alkaloids (gentianine, gentianidine, gentioflavine), Phenolic acids, Triterpenes, Xanthone derivatives, phenolic acids, nicotinic acid compounds, traces of essential oil, oleanolic acid, triterpenes (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, brassicsterol, stigmasterol)

Parts Used

The entire plant may be used.

Typical Preparations

Infusion: Infuse 1 tsp of dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, and drink ½ cup before meals.  Tincture: Take 1-2 ml of the tincture three times per day.

Summary

Centaury has an interesting history of uses, and according to legend was named because of the mythical centaur Chironia who cured a poison arrow wound with the herb. Because it is so bitter, the ancient Romans called it the 'bile of the earth' (fel terraae.)

Folklore Uses

Precautions

None recorded