Gentianella amarella
| Gentianella amarella | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gentianella amarella (common name: felwort)
Propagation: Seed - sow in situ as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[1].
Cultivation: Requires a damp humus-rich soil and should be planted in a situation approaching its native habitat[1].
An aggregate species, individual plants may show unusual features and determinations should be based on small samples of the population[2].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to France, Hungary and the Caucasus.
Habitat: Basic pastures, usually amongst short grass, and dunes[2]
Medicinal: This species is one of several that can be used as a source of the medicinal gentian root[3]. Gentian has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders. It is especially useful in states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in all cases of debility, weakness of the digestive system and lack of appetite[3]. It is one of the best strengtheners of the human system and is an excellent tonic to combine with a purgative in order to prevent its debilitating effects[3]. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant and stomachic[3][4][5][6][7]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[3]. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties[3].
The root is anodyne, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, pectoral, refrigerant, stomachic. A substitute for G. lutea[3][8][9][10].
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Doubt', 'Depression' and 'Discouragement[11].
Pollinators: Bees
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Gentiana amarella. L.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.