Centaurium erythraea
Latin Name: Centaurium erythraea
Family: Gentianaceae
Main action: Appetizing.
An herb with an extremely wide range of action, but most often it is used to help treat stomach problems, such as constipation, dyspepsia, heartburn, flatulence (increased gas formation). It has a beneficial effect on liver disorders associated with difficult detoxification of the body and reduced secretion of bile juice. It is used for urological problems such as kidney stones and gout.
Widespread: It grows in meadows, dry grassy and stony places, in bushes, rarely in crops. It is spread all over Bulgaria up to 1 600 m above sea level. It is found throughout Europe (except the extreme northern parts).
Content: The aerial part contains the bitter glucosides erythaurin, gentsiopicrin and its aglycone erythrocenaurin. The bitter substances were also identified: svertiomarin, gentioflavingencyanidin, the flavone glucoside centaurein, a small essential oil, 0.1% oleanolic acid, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.
Drug used: The aerial part of the flowering plant (Hebra Gentaurii).
