Gentian: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Gentiana lutea
Family or group:
Plants
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The considerable bitter taste of gentian provides a theoretical basis for its use in dyspepsia and flatulence, for which an increase in saliva and gastric acid secretion would be beneficial. Commission E and the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) approve its use for this indication. In an open study, 205 patients with various dyspeptic symptoms (heartburn, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, flatulence) were treated with a dry hydro-ethanolic extract (5:1) of gentian root at a dose of 240 mg two or three times a day (mean daily dose of 576 mg of extract, equivalent to 2.9 g of dried root) for about 15 days. Symptom improvement was evident after 5 days in most cases and, at the end of the study, the average level of improvement was 68%. The efficacy of the preparation was rated by physicians as excellent (symptom elimination) in 31% of patients, good in 55% of them, moderate in 9%, and insufficient in 5% of cases.
Posologie
Oral use: root
576 mg
Stimulate appetite ✪✪✪✪✪
The bitter taste of gentian provides a theoretical basis for its use in anorexia, as the increase in saliva and gastric acid secretions would be beneficial. Commission E and ESCOP approve its use for this indication. A small human study confirmed that oral administration of a gentian root extract increases the secretion of gastric juice and the emptying of the gallbladder. This was also confirmed by the European Medicines Agency report, which states that bitters stimulate the taste nerves in the mouth, leading to an increase in the secretion of gastric fluid and bile.
Posologie
Oral: root
576 mg
Gastroesophageal reflux ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditional use related to its properties stimulating digestive secretions and gastric motility.
Posologie
Oral: root
576 mg
Digestive spasms ✪✪✪✪✪
Gentiopicroside, a component of gentian, has the ability to reduce intestinal contractions (specifically of the ileum, a part of the intestine) in an animal model. It acts by blocking calcium entry into the smooth muscle cells of the intestine, which is similar to the action of certain drugs that reduce intestinal contractions by limiting calcium activity. Gentian is indicated for spasmodic colitis in relation to the properties described above. However, no clinical study confirms this use.
Posologie
Oral: root
576 mg
Properties
Digestive effect
The bitter taste of gentian root is due to the secoiridoid monoterpene compounds that it contains. nnA small human study confirmed that oral administration of a gentian root extract increases gastric juice secretion and gallbladder emptying. nnThis was also confirmed by a report from the European Medicines Agency, which states that bitters stimulate the gustatory nerves in the mouth, leading to an increase in the secretion of gastric fluid and bile.nn
Usages associés
Analgesic
In an animal study, it was found that gentiopicroside, a compound of gentian, helps reduce pain. It acts by decreasing the activity of a specific part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays an important role in how we perceive and manage pain. nnIn this study, gentiopicroside (50-200 mg/kg) produced a significant dose-dependent reduction of persistent inflammatory painful stimuli by modulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission in response to peripheral injury.nn
Cholagogue
Bitter principles induce a reflex excitation of gustatory receptors and an increase in the secretion of saliva, gastric juice and bile, thereby stimulating appetite and digestion according to in vivo experiments.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 16 years and older: 480 mg - 720 mg (dry extract)
- Powder: 2 to 4 g per day - Dry extract: 2 to 3 times 1 capsule corresponding to 1.2 g of substance - Tincture (1:5): 3 times 20 drops per day, i.e. 3 ml for the daily dose - Dry extract: 480-720 mg
Interactions
Médicaments
Antihypertensive: weak interaction
Theoretically, concomitant use with these medications could increase the risk of hypotension.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Available information is insufficient to make a recommendation.
Gastric ulcer: avoid
Use of this plant is not recommended in people with active gastric or duodenal ulcers: hypersecretion of chloride and enzymes.
Contraindications
Breastfeeding: contraindicated
Gentian is contraindicated in breastfeeding women because the bitter constituents pass into the milk.
