Yellow Gentian, also known as Bitter Root, Bitterwort,
Yellow Gentian, and Pale
Gentian, is an herbaceous perennial plant found in mountain meadows and pastures
in Europe and Asia Minor and under cultivation in the U.S. Ringed and forked,
the thick, wrinkled root is brown on the outside and yellow on the inside. The
simple, erect, glabrous stem grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and bears
ovate-oblong, bright green leaves that grow up to a foot long and six inches
wide. Each pair of opposite leaves is arranged at right angles to its
neighboring pairs, the lower ones on short petioles, the upper sessile. The
large, bright yellow flowers usually appear for the first time when the root is
about 10 years old. Blooming from July to August, the flowers grow in whorls of
3 to 10 axillary blossoms near the top of the stem. The fruit is an oblong, two-valved
capsule.
Yellow Gentian has been used effectively as a cholagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic, and tonic. Gentian is excellent for improving appetite and digestion, and also for strengthening the activity of the stomach. For these uses, take the preparation at least 30 minutes before mealtime, since it takes that long to have any effect. Specific gastrointestinal problems for which Gentian is particularly beneficial include stomachache, heartburn, indigestion, catarrhal gastritis with diarrhea, and vomiting. Gentian has also been used effectively for podagra, ague, and fainting spells, and externally as a decoction for washing wounds. The fresh leaves placed on open wounds and inflammations act as a refrigerant; and they also make soothing footbaths.
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