Gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a perennial plant that can grow one to two meters tall with trumpet-shaped blossoms ranging in colours that include yellow, mauve and white, and vibrant blue. 

The genus of gentian is named for the Illyrian King Gentius, who was said to have discovered the therapeutic tonic properties of the plant.  

Common names: Great yellow gentian, bitter root, bitterwort, gall weed. 

Distribution: Gentian is native to the Himalayan Mountain regions and the Alps. Today, it grows in grassy alpine regions throughout Europe, China and parts of North America. 

Therapeutic Compounds 

Gentian root has a characteristic bitter taste and contains active compounds of iridoids, secoiridoids, xanthones, and flavonoids. 

Medicinal Uses 

Traditionally, gentian root was used for a variety of ailments: to treat swelling of the spleen or liver, to stimulate appetite and ease gastric distress, as a diuretic, and to treat wounds, snake bites and injuries.  

Digestive Support  

Gentian root is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve digestive disturbances and is a well-established, traditional digestive tonic and bitter used to help stimulate appetite and aid digestion. 

Inflammation and Pain 

Gentian root preparations were sometimes applied topically to wounds or skin irritations and was used to treat pain in both tradition Chinese and Persian medicine. Some studies have found benefits in the anti-inflammatory compounds of gentian to have pain-relieving effects, and extracts have been researched for their potential in treating rheumatoid arthritis.  

Symbolism

Gentian flowers represent resiliency in the face of adversity, justice, fairness, determination and have been referred to as the “flower of victory”, given their upward flowering shape. 

Fun Facts  

Further to its digestive benefits, gentian is used to produce a distilled liqueur aperitif – sometimes called “Enzian”, or “Gentian schnapps” in parts of France and Italy. A traditional digestif is also prepared with gentian root steeped in white wine called “genziana” in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Gentian root extract is also the key ingredient in the American soda “Moxie”. 

God made a little Gentian — 
It tried — to be a Rose — 
And failed — and all the Summer laughed — 
But just before the Snows 
There rose a Purple Creature — 
That ravished all the Hill — 
And Summer hid her Forehead — 
And Mockery — was still — 
The Frosts were her condition — 
The Tyrian would not come 
Until the North — invoke it — 
Creator — Shall I — bloom? 

Read more: Bitters for Naturally Strong Digestion 

Gentian at St. Francis.