Centaurium erythraea

Centaurium erythraea, known for its healing properties since the ancient Greeks and Romans.

This is an erect biennial herb in the gentian family known by the common names common centaury and European centaury.

Its colors show a high concentration of the alkaloid gentian, which has well-studied anti-inflammatory properties. The other main group of biologically active substances in the composition of the herb are polyphenols.

Polyphenols in the flowers of Centaurium erythraea wort provide the powerful antioxidant and detoxifying properties of the herb. They help neutralize free radicals, as well as bind and facilitate the removal of heavy metals from the body.

The medicinal application of the herb can be both internal and external.

Used to support the treatment of:

Stomach problems – constipation, dyspepsia, heartburn, flatulence;
Urological diseases – kidney stones, gout;
Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions;
Painful dyspepsia;
Liver disorders – difficult detoxification of the body, decreased secretion of bile;
Some forms of anemia, diabetes.

Externally, a decoction of Centaurium erythraea is used successfully in the healing of stubborn and slow-healing wounds.

Folk medicine recommends tea from the stems of Centaurium erythraea wort for pain and heartburn, stomach catarrh, constipation, flatulence, intestinal tuberculosis, intestinal bleeding, lazy intestines, worms, diseases of the liver, bile and spleen, insufficient and irregular menstruation current, malaria, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, eye weakness, diabetes, etc.

How is Centaurium erythraea used for treatment?

Infusion

1 teaspoon of the herb is brewed with 200 ml. water. Drink three times, 30 minutes before eating. Centaurium erythraea infusion is very bitter.

Tincture

Soak 100 grams of fresh or dried herb in 400-500 ml. alcohol and let the mixture stand for two weeks. Strain the mixture before use.

Wine

Soak in a liter of wine two handfuls of dried herbs (the ratio is 1:10) and add 1-2 tablespoons of honey. After two weeks, the mixture is filtered and drink two tablespoons of it before eating.