The efficacy and function of Gentiana lutea

In modern life, everyone is very familiar with various Chinese herbal medicines, among which Gentiana lutea is a very common one. So what are the effects and functions of Gentiana lutea? Let’s take a look.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Gentiana scabra.

[Original form] Annual herb, 4-10cm high. The stem is densely covered with papillae and has many branches from the base. The branches are thin and obliquely ascending. Basal leaves are large, ovate-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, 7-17mm long, 3-5mm wide, acute at apex, with a small tip, obtuse base, papillate at margin or only at base, papillate on both sides, midrib obvious below; petiole fused into a tube up to 1mm long; stem leaves are small, sparse, shorter than internodes, ovate, ovate-elliptic to lanceolate, up to 8mm long, about 5mm wide. Flowers numerous, solitary at the top of branchlets; pedicels densely papillated, 2-3mm long, elongated to 8mm when fruiting; calyx bell-shaped, lobes nearly uniform, subulate, shorter than the main tube, with a small tip at the apex, curved and truncated, midrib obvious on the back; corolla upper part light yellow, base lavender, throat with yellow spots, tubular bell-shaped, lobes ovate, apex obtuse, entire, folds ovate, equal length to lobes; stamens born in the middle of the corolla tube, filaments linear subulate, anthers elliptic; ovary narrow elliptic, tapering at both ends, ovary stalk about 4mm long, style linear, stigma 2-lobed; capsule exserted, obovate or ovate, about 6mm long, base tapering, margin winged, fruit stalk thick, about 12mm long. The seeds are oblong or narrowly oblong, with fine reticulate patterns on the surface. Flowering and fruiting period is August to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on hillside grasslands at an altitude of 1800-3000m.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains quercetin, rutin, geniiatriculin, ursolic acid, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, and 12-ursene. Urs-12-ene-3β, 28-diol-3β-palmitate, 12-oleanene-3β, 28-diol-3β-palmitate, 12-ursene-3β, 28-diol (urs-12-ene-3β, 28-diol), 12-oleanene-3β, 28-diol (olean-12-ene-3β, 28-diol).

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool

【Functions and indications】Promotes the bile secretion and relieves jaundice. Icteric hepatitis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-10g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Gentiana lutea. Gentiana lutea is very helpful for human diseases, but it is worth noting that we should use symptomatic medication according to our personal physical condition and avoid indiscriminate consumption.