Centaury
Parts Usually Used
Aerial portions
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
A small plant of the gentian family, with flat-clusters of red or rose flowers. The stem is four-cornered and grows to a height of 4-20 inches (10-50 cm). The leaves are decussate. The red, star-shaped flowers, which open only when the sun shines, are arranged in umbellike panicles. Flower in July and seed within a month after. The small or lesser centaury has yellow flowers. Used the same as greater centaury.
There is a centaury that has white flowers. Not found commonly in the wild.
Where Found
Grows in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Found in damp meadows, pastures, and in thinly wooded areas.
Medicinal Properties
Tonic, stomachic, aromatic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, febrifuge, emetic, stimulant
Biochemical Information
Bitter principles, including gentiopicrine and erythrocentaurin, valeric acid, wax, etc.
Legends, Myths and Stories
Remember the old saying “Medicine has to taste bitter; otherwise, it won’t do any good” ? That applies double to centaury. Named after the Centaur, Chiron, who was said to have discovered medicinal properties of the plant. ”
Uses
Historically, herbalists regarded centaury as a general tonic, particularly for individuals unable to exercise outdoors. Traditional practitioners employed it for gastrointestinal complaints, including gas, colic, bloating, heartburn, dyspepsia, constipation, and poor appetite, believing it supported digestion and the assimilation of food. Concentrated infusions were noted as emetics.
An extract prepared with vodka was traditionally administered for high blood pressure, as well as liver and gallbladder complaints. Historical herbals also recorded the use of centaury for muscular rheumatism, gout, cramps, and intestinal parasites. Ancient traditions frequently utilized it for intermittent fevers and animal bites. Topically, preparations were applied to the eyes with the intention of improving vision, and to wounds, ulcers, sores, and bruises to encourage healing.
Decoctive washes and lotions were applied to the skin to address freckles, spots, and other blemishes, as well as to the hair to eliminate lice and other parasites.
Warning
Do not collect this medicinal plant yourself under any circumstances, as European centaury, like all other members of the gentian family, is on the list of protected plants!
Bibliography
, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. , Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition The Magic of Herbs , by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England.
(Out of print) Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974 The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr.
Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992