Centaury

(Centaurium erythraea Rafn. C. umbellatum Gilib. -- Erythraea centaurium auct., Gentianaceae)

Also Called: Common Centaury, Century, Feverwort.

Description: Annual or biennial plant, 15-45cm (6-18in) high.
Stems glabrous, quadrangular, erect, branching only in the floral region.
Leaves small, opposite, elongated, oval or lanceolate, glabrous, with usually 5 veins.
Inflorescence a more or less dense corymb at the apices of the branches; flowers about 1 cm (0.4in) long, pale red, tubular in the lower part but rotate towards the apex.
Flowering: July-September.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection Throughout central Europe, but not abundant, in woods, grassland, road-sides, etc. Common in England and Ireland, less so in Scotland.
The plant is collected when in flower and dried either in the shade or in sunlight.
The drug is imported from Morocco and Algeria.

Constituents and Action: Bitter principles that actively stimulate secretion of saliva and of digestive juices; it thus aids digestion and increases the appetite.

Usage: Generally as a tisane (1 teaspoonful or 1 tablespoon-ful in 0.5 litre (1 pt) of cold water, raise to the boil and allow to stand) or in powder form (0.5-2g (0.02-0.07 oz) twice daily, before the midday and evening meals) for lack of appetite, sluggish digestion or stomach disturbances.
Its supposed febrifuge action is insignificant.
Its use as a tonic during convalescence is due to the above properties