A bitter flowering top for the digestive sphere

Centaury is used as a one-off treatment to restore appetite, improve slow digestion, limit intestinal fermentation, or accompany seasonal cleansing treatments. Its strong bitterness is an indication of its power, particularly in cases of sluggish digestion or post-prandial fatigue.

Description

Dried and cut flowering top: thin stems, small opposite leaves, dried bright pink flowers, pale green to pinkish-brown color, slight odor, very bitter taste.

Nomenclature

• Common name: Centaury
• Latin name: Erythraea centaurium (syn. Centaurium erythraea )
• Family: Gentianaceae
• Part used: Flowering top
• Shape: Cut
• Origin: Europe, Mediterranean and temperate zones
• English name: Common centaury
• German name: Tausendgüldenkraut
• Name in Spanish: Centaura menor
• Name in Italian: Centaurea minore
• Name in Arabic: القنطريون الصغير

Main virtues

Bitter tonic, digestive, choleretic, depurative, appetite stimulant, mild antiflatulent.

Main constituents

Bitter principles (erythrocentaurin, swertiamarin), flavonoids, iridoids, xanthones, phenolic acids, essential oil (traces).

Traditional use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup (250 ml), infuse for 5 to 7 minutes. Take before meals to stimulate the appetite or after to support digestion.
• Medicinal wine: macerate 30 g in 1 liter of white wine for 5 days, filter. 1 small glass before meals (traditional use).
• Decoction: 30 g/L, 5 min simmering for a gentle liver cleansing treatment.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Do not use in case of gastric ulcer or severe gastritis (irritating bitter action).
• Not recommended during pregnancy or for young children.
• May cause nausea if taken in high doses on an empty stomach.

History and use

An ancestral European medicinal plant, centaury has been cited since Antiquity as the ultimate bitter remedy. Its reputation was built in the countryside for its cleansing and digestive properties. Always present in "bitter" blends intended as a liver tonic, it is a reliable ally for slow digestion and periods of digestive fatigue.

Miscellaneous information

• Packaging: resealable kraft bag or airtight opaque box.
• Storage: away from humidity, light and heat.
• Shelf life: 12 to 18 months.
• TARIC customs code: 1211.90.86.00

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Digestive herbal medicine books and popular herbalism manuals
• Ethnobotanical references on Gentianaceae

Note to project creators and formulators:

Please note that we do not provide any technical documentation (datasheet, certificate, analysis, etc.) for quantities less than 1 kg. Documentation is reserved exclusively for registered professionals (SIRET number or equivalent required) and for clearly identified projects. Thank you for your understanding.

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The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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