Herbs and plantsGentian root—the worst-tasting herb for the weakest stomach?
Sources: 6 · Article: 8 072 characters
It stimulates the secretion of saliva, digestive juices and bile, and increases bowel movements.
- Henryk Różański lists it for indigestion, bloating, constipation and impaired absorption.
- He also notes that it may help with heartburn and general weakness.
- In the past, gentian was also recommended for poor appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and liver and pancreatic complaints.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Gentian stimulates the appetite and, according to the Polish Pharmacopoeia, is an appetite stimulant.
„According to our Pharmacopoeia, it is an appetite stimulant. The official single dose is 1 g; the daily dose is 2–4 g, taken orally in preparations. Gentian tincture—Tinctura Gentianae according to PhPol. VI: gentian root (rad. gentianae), 200 parts; ethanolum 760 g/L, 676 parts; purified water, 324 parts.”Wg naszej Farmakopei to środek pobudzający łaknienie. Oficjalne dawki jednorazowe 1 g; dawki dobowe 2-4 g, doustnie w preparatach. Nalewka goryczkowa – Tinctura Gentianae wg PhPol. VI: korzeń goryczki (rad. gentianae) 200 części, ethanolum 760 g/l 676 częśći, woda czysta 324 części.
Henryk Różański
Bitter substances stimulate the secretion of saliva, digestive juices and bile, and increase bowel movements.
„The bitter substances in gentians reflexively stimulate the secretion of saliva, gastric, intestinal and pancreatic juices, and bile. They increase peristalsis in the digestive tract and raise the acidity of stomach contents. They improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients from the intestines into the blood and lymph.”Substancje gorzkie goryczek na drodze odruchowej pobudzają wydzielanie śliny, soku żołądkowego, jelitowego, trzustkowego i żółci. Zwiększają perystaltykę przewodu pokarmowego, podnoszą kwaśność treści żołądka. Poprawiają procesy trawienia i wchłaniania mleczka pokarmowego z jelit do krwi i limfy.
Henryk Różański
Gentian is said to improve digestion and absorption and regulate bowel movements.
„They improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients from the intestines into the blood and lymph. They regulate bowel movements and stimulate the appetite. Gentians speed up metabolism and stimulate the nervous system, producing a feeling of general stimulation. In some people, gentians may have a calming effect while also being strengthening.”Poprawiają procesy trawienia i wchłaniania mleczka pokarmowego z jelit do krwi i limfy. Regulują wypróżnienia. Pobudzają apetyt. Goryczki przyśpieszają przemianę materii i stymulują układ nerwowy, dając odczucie ogólnego pobudzenia. Goryczki mogą na niektóre osoby działać uspokajająco, ale równocześnie wzmacniająco.
Henryk Różański
The listed indications include indigestion, bloating, constipation, impaired absorption and general weakness.
„Indications: lack of gastric juice, underactive salivary glands, impaired secretion of pancreatic enzymes; intestinal atony, constipation, malabsorption syndrome, general weakness, indigestion, bloating.
Decoction—Decoctum Rad. Gentianae 5%: drink 1–2 cups of the decoction in small amounts throughout the day.”Wskazania: bezsoczność żołądka, niedoczynność ślinianek, zaburzenia wydzielania enzymów trzustkowych; atonia jelit, zaparcia, zespół zaburzonego wchłaniania, ogólne osłabienie, niestrawność, wzdęcia.
Odwar – Decoctum Rad. Gentianae 5%: 1-2 szklanki odwaru wypić małymi porcjami w ciągu dnia.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański says that gentian also helps with heartburn.
„It also helps with heartburn. It stimulates the immune system of the digestive tract (GALT).
Indications: lack of gastric juice, underactive salivary glands, impaired secretion of pancreatic enzymes; intestinal atony, constipation, malabsorption syndrome, general weakness, indigestion, bloating.”Pomaga również przy zgadze. Pobudza układ odpornościowy układu pokarmowego (GALT).
Wskazania: bezsoczność żołądka, niedoczynność ślinianek, zaburzenia wydzielania enzymów trzustkowych; atonia jelit, zaparcia, zespół zaburzonego wchłaniania, ogólne osłabienie, niestrawność, wzdęcia.
Henryk Różański
In the past, people took gentian for poor appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and liver and pancreatic complaints.
„A gentian wine was also popular: steep 15 g of gentian, 15 g of orange peel, 15 g of calamus and 10 g of anise in wine (1 L), then strain. Take 15 mL on an empty stomach for poor appetite and poor digestion, to relieve constipation, and for liver and pancreatic complaints.
Gentian drops and gentian rhizome are available from herbal shops and pharmacies.”Popularne było także winko: 15 g goryczki, 15 g skórki pomarańczowej, 15 g tataraku i 10 g anyżu wytrawić winem (1 l), przecedzić. Zażywać po 15 ml na czczo przy osłabieniu apetytu, złym trawieniu, przeciwko zaparciom, dolegliwościom wątrobowym i trzustkowym.
W sklepach zielarskich i aptekach dostępne są krople goryczkowe i kłącze goryczki.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 6.
In rats with a model of jaundice, gentian root limited the rise in markers of liver damage and bile-related disorders.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of GR and WGR on DHJS in rats.
Results: The results indicated that GR and WGR affected DHJS by inhibiting the release of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (D-BIL), total bilirubin (TBIL), total bile acid (TBA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) (P < 0.05). In addition, they significantly reduced the gene expression levels of Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BESP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) (P < 0.05). The WGR group improved the above functional indicators more than the GR group. GR and WGR helped restore 11 potential biomarkers in rats with DHJS toward normal levels. These biomarkers were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, retinol metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a single case report, gentian quickly and repeatedly stopped postoperative hiccups, although other causes of the improvement cannot be ruled out.
Aim of the study: Persistent singultus (hiccups) can be distressing and challenging to manage in the postoperative setting. While pharmacological interventions such as metoclopramide are commonly used, their effectiveness is often limited.
Results: The effect was reproducible upon two subsequent recurrences later the same day. No further episodes occurred after the third administration. This case raises the hypothesis that bitter taste receptor activation in the oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal tract may modulate the hiccup reflex arc. While spontaneous resolution or the effect of alcohol cannot be excluded, the rapid and reproducible response suggests a possible therapeutic role for bitter-tasting botanical preparations in functional singultus.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyother
Participants1
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„The rapid recovery from shock using oral administration of a very high dose of vitamin C seems to indicate that the ascorbate may travel transdermally in the mouth and salivary system of the cow directly to the head and brain area rather than going to the brain through the digestive system. Any concern about the low pH of ascorbic acid into an already acid rumen can be ignored as recovering the cow from shock is the first priority and then neutralizing the acid rumen is easy with baking soda. When a cow is not in shock but has symptoms of acidosis, we administer baking soda only.”The rapid recovery from shock using oral administration of a very high dose of vitamin C seems to indicate that the ascorbate may travel transdermally in the mouth and salivary system of the cow directly to the head and brain area rather than going to the brain through the digestive system. Any concern about the low pH of ascorbic acid into an already acid rumen can be ignored as recovering the cow from shock is the first priority and then neutralizing the acid rumen is easy with baking soda. When a cow is not in shock but has symptoms of acidosis, we administer baking soda only.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Furthermore, we and others have demonstrated convincingly that cholesterol is not the root cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (1-3). This article explores why statins, despite their wide usage, are not even a reasonable solution for cardiovascular health and why they should not be recommended for the management of ASDVD. Instead, preventing and even reversing ASCVD is readily achieved by using a protocol that integrates orthomolecular medicine and nutrition (4).”Furthermore, we and others have demonstrated convincingly that cholesterol is not the root cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (1-3). This article explores why statins, despite their wide usage, is not even a reasonable solution for cardiovascular health and why they should not be recommended for the management of ASDVD. Instead, preventing and even reversing ASCVD is readily achieved by the use of a protocol integrating orthomolecular medicine and nutrition (4).
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