Centaury herb, c/s

Scientific Name: Centaurium erythracea, Gentianaceae family
Common Names : Centaury Gentian, Centur,. Red Centaury, Filwort, Centory, Christ's Ladder, Feverwort.

Parts used: root, leaf, flower
Active Compounds: Erythro-centaurin, which is colourless, crystalline, non-nitrogenous, reddened by sunlight; a bitter glucoside, Erytaurin; Valeric acid, wax, etc.
Properties: Aromatic bitter, stomachic and tonic.

Background:

The name of the genus to which it is at present assigned, Erythraea, is derived from the Greek erythros (red), from the colour of the flowers. The genus was formerly called Chironia, from the Centaur Chiron, who was famous in Greek mythology for his skill in medicinal herbs. The English name Centaury has the same origin.

The ancients named the plant Fel Terrae, Gall of the Earth, from its extreme bitterness. The Old English name of Felwort is related to this and and is applied to all the plants of the Gentian family.
It is listed as one of the 'Fifteen magical herbs of the Ancients'. Within a poem of the 10th century by Mercer, there is mention of Centaury and other herbs as being powerful against 'wykked sperytis.' (translation: evil spirits)

Saxon herbalists prescribed it for snake-bites and other poisonous conditions. Used for intermittent fevers, as implied in its common name of Feverwort.

The herb formed the basis of the once famous Portland Powder, which was said to be a specific for gout.

Dosage: As an infusion : 1 oz. of the dried herb to 1 pint of water.

When in a weakened state of little appetite, use a 6 oz. glassful 3-4 times daily, 1/2 hour before meals. The same infusion may also be taken for muscular rheumatism.

Applications: Effective for liver and kidneys, purifying and tonifying to the blood.
The dried herb is given in infusion or powder, or made into an extract. It is used extensively in dyspepsia, for weak digestion with heartburn.

Description:

Centaury is an annual, with a yellowish, fibrous, woody root, the stem stiff, square and erect, 3 to 12 inches in height, often branching considerably at the summit. The leaves are of a pale green colour, smooth and shiny, their margins undivided. The lowest leaves are broader than the others, oblong or wedge-shaped, narrowed at the base, blunt at the end and form a spreading tuft at the base of the plant, while the stalk-less stem-leaves are pointed and lance-shaped, growing in pairs opposite to one another at somewhat distant intervals on the stalk, which is crowned by flat tufts (corymbs) of rose-coloured, star-like flowers, with five-cleft corollas. The stamens are five in number: the anthers twist around after they have shed their pollen, which is one way to distinguish between plants of this genus and those of the Gentiana. The flowers open only in fine weather and not after mid-day

The plant is a native of Europe and North Africa. Though common in this country in dry pastures and on chalky cliffs, cultivation requires great skill.

Safety:

There is no known negative safety information available for this herb.

More Bulk Herbs and Spices Information:

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Cinnamon
Chia seed
Cloves
Cayenne
Club moss

For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.