Gentiana, Gentian, Long Dan Cao 龙胆草Ghaafis (Unani)
related species: –In TCM G. gabra (Long Dan Cao) –In Ayurveda, G. kurroo (Trayamana) –In Tibet G. robusta (Kyi Che) |
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Greater and Lesser Gentians
Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
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Gentiana lutea
Flora Medica, Royal College of Physicians, 1829 |
Gentiana purpurea
Flora von Deutschland (16), Kohler, 1884 |
YELLOW GENTIAN ROOT
1. Root with numerous leaf bases. 2. Deep wrinkles. 3, Annulate rhizome portion.
4. Curved and twisted root. 5, Cross-section of root showing dark cambium zone.
Squibb's Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
1. Root with numerous leaf bases. 2. Deep wrinkles. 3, Annulate rhizome portion.
4. Curved and twisted root. 5, Cross-section of root showing dark cambium zone.
Squibb's Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
Wild Sichuan Gentian root (Adam, 2016)
Botanical name:
Gentiana lutea; G. purpurea was used in Northern Europe synonymously, and was regarded as equally strong.
Various related species are used.
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cold (Warm in the West), dry. Bitter
Classifications:
2A APERIENT MEDICINES. 2B ATTENUATERS. 2F. PURIFYING. 2M. DRAWING. 2T. GLUTINATE
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC. 3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
4e. STOMACHIC. 4f. SPLENETIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4i. UTERINE
Gentiana lutea; G. purpurea was used in Northern Europe synonymously, and was regarded as equally strong.
Various related species are used.
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cold (Warm in the West), dry. Bitter
Classifications:
2A APERIENT MEDICINES. 2B ATTENUATERS. 2F. PURIFYING. 2M. DRAWING. 2T. GLUTINATE
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC. 3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
4e. STOMACHIC. 4f. SPLENETIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4i. UTERINE
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Damp, Opens Obstructions: (West, TCM, Ayurveda, Tibet):
2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison (West, TCM, Ayurveda, Tibet):
3. Benefits the Stomach, Stimulates Digestion:
4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
5. Clears Heat and Damp, Eases Pain:
6. Kills Worms (West, Ayurveda)
7. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
8. Externally:
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams (traditionally 1 scruple–1 dram)
Decoction: 3–9 grams (TCM and West; 1–3 drams was used in the West)
Comment:
While the Chinese Gentian is regarded as one of the Coldest medicines in the Materia Medica, the European Gentian was accounted warm, as it still is in Unani. Despite this, it was used to clear Bile and was regarded as an important medicine to 'open obstructions' of the Liver. Nevertheless the use of Gentian and Gentiana Long Dan Cao can be considered synonymous.
Preparations:
... available in PRO version
Correctives:
... available in PRO version
Substitutes:
... available in PRO version
Powder: 1–3 grams (traditionally 1 scruple–1 dram)
Decoction: 3–9 grams (TCM and West; 1–3 drams was used in the West)
Comment:
While the Chinese Gentian is regarded as one of the Coldest medicines in the Materia Medica, the European Gentian was accounted warm, as it still is in Unani. Despite this, it was used to clear Bile and was regarded as an important medicine to 'open obstructions' of the Liver. Nevertheless the use of Gentian and Gentiana Long Dan Cao can be considered synonymous.
Preparations:
... available in PRO version
Correctives:
... available in PRO version
Substitutes:
... available in PRO version
Main Combinations:
1. To clear Heat from the Liver, for Damp-Heat, and to open Obstructions:
i. Gentian with Centaury.
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
iii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
2. Liver pain, Jaundice, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
3. Jaundice:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
4. Edema, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
5. Digestive debility with Liver congestion, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
6. Aromatic Bitters:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
7. Intermittent Fever, form Pills with Gentian ... available in PRO version
8. Pernicious Anemia, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
9. Rickets, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
10. To protect from infection and Poison:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
11. Cough, Asthma, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
12. To strengthen the Heart and resist Poison in Epidemics, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
13. Poor nervous tone, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
14. To benefits Memory, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
15. Hysteria, Nervous exhaustion, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
16. Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis, Madness, Migraine, Asthma, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
17. Arthritis, Joint Pain:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii Gentian with ... available in PRO version
18. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
Gentiana Long Dan Cao:
1. Liver Heat, or Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Scutellaria Huang Qin
2. Jaundice from Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Artemisia Yin Chen Hao
3. Genital Itching from Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Phellodendron Huang Bai, Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
Major Formulas
Compound Infusion of Gentian
Bitter Decoction
Aromatic Bitter Decoction
Decoction for the Liver (Nicholas)
Powder for Hysteria
Powder for Gout of the Duke of Portland
Theriac of Four Ingredients (Diatessaron)
Electuary for Asthma of Andrezeos
Electuary of Centaury (Zenon)
Antidote of Seven Things (Paulus Aegineta)
TCM (Long Dan Cao):
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
1. To clear Heat from the Liver, for Damp-Heat, and to open Obstructions:
i. Gentian with Centaury.
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
iii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
2. Liver pain, Jaundice, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
3. Jaundice:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
4. Edema, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
5. Digestive debility with Liver congestion, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
6. Aromatic Bitters:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
7. Intermittent Fever, form Pills with Gentian ... available in PRO version
8. Pernicious Anemia, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
9. Rickets, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
10. To protect from infection and Poison:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
11. Cough, Asthma, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
12. To strengthen the Heart and resist Poison in Epidemics, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
13. Poor nervous tone, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
14. To benefits Memory, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
15. Hysteria, Nervous exhaustion, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
16. Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis, Madness, Migraine, Asthma, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
17. Arthritis, Joint Pain:
i. Gentian with ... available in PRO version
ii Gentian with ... available in PRO version
18. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gentian with ... available in PRO version
Gentiana Long Dan Cao:
1. Liver Heat, or Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Scutellaria Huang Qin
2. Jaundice from Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Artemisia Yin Chen Hao
3. Genital Itching from Damp-Heat, Gentian Long Dan Cao with Phellodendron Huang Bai, Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
Major Formulas
Compound Infusion of Gentian
Bitter Decoction
Aromatic Bitter Decoction
Decoction for the Liver (Nicholas)
Powder for Hysteria
Powder for Gout of the Duke of Portland
Theriac of Four Ingredients (Diatessaron)
Electuary for Asthma of Andrezeos
Electuary of Centaury (Zenon)
Antidote of Seven Things (Paulus Aegineta)
TCM (Long Dan Cao):
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Cautions:
1. Cold in TCM, therefore not used in Cold conditions.
2. Avoid large doses or long-term use
Main Preparations used:
1. Cold in TCM, therefore not used in Cold conditions.
2. Avoid large doses or long-term use
Main Preparations used:
Click the Tabs above for more information on this Medicine
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From Pliny:
'Gentian was first discovered by Gentius, king of Blyria. It is a plant to be found everywhere, but that of Dlyria is the finest. It has a leaf like that of the ash, but equal in size to a lettuce-leaf : the stem is tender, about the thickness of the thumb, hollow and empty, and covered with leaves at regular intervals. This stem is sometimes three cubits in length, and the root is flexible, swarthy, and inodorous. It is found in the greatest abundance in humid localities at the foot of the Alps. The root and juice are the parts of it that are used: the root is possessed of certain warming properties, but it should never be taken by women in a state of pregnancy.' |
From Culpeper:
"Gentian strengthens the stomach exceedingly, helps digestion, comforts the heart and preserves it against faintings and swoonings. The powder of the dry roots opens obstructions of the liver and restores appetite. The herb, steeped in wine, and the wine drank, refreshes such as be over-weary with travelling... is an excellent remedy for such as bruises by falls. It provokes urine and the terms exceedingly, therefore let it not be given to women with child... It helps agues of all sorts, and the yellow jaundice." |