Gentian 5:1

History:

Gentian is a perennial plant that grows up to three or four feet tall and is said to be a native of the alpine and sub-alpine pastures of central and southern Europe. There are about 180 species of Gentians with flowers of varied color that are distributed throughout the temperate regions and high mountains of the world; however, their therapeutic applications are virtually interchangeable. Gentiana lutea, or Yellow Gentian, is perhaps the most remarkable of the species which compose this genus, both for its beauty and great comparative size. From its thick, long, branching, perennial rhizome, an erect, round stem rises to the height of three or four feet, bearing opposite, sessile, ovate leaves of a bright-green color. The lower leaves, which spring from the root, are narrowed at their base into the form of a petiole. The flowers are large and beautiful, of a yellow color, peduncled, and placed in whorls at the axils of the upper leaves. The herb is widely cultivated in China and is frequently found in the mountains of Spain, Portugal, the Pyrenees, Sardinia and Corsica, the Apennines, Bosnia and the Balkan States. Gentian is an intensely 'bitter' herb that has been used in different cultures since ancient times for digestive health and appetite. The botanical name of Gentian is derived from Gentius, an ancient botanist and King of Illyria (180-167 B.C.), who, according to Pliny and Dioscorides, discovered its medicinal value. In both Chinese and Korean, the terms for Gentian can be translated literally as "dragon gallbladder herb," which attests to Gentian's ability to support a fiery gallbladder. In Chinese medicine, other species of Gentian have been used and have similar constituents. These are referred to as longdan, and they are used for liver, urinary tract, skin and eye heatlh. During the Middle Ages, Gentian was commonly employed against poison, and later, Father Kneipp, a nineteenth-century healer who was well known in Europe, strongly recommended the use of Gentian 'bitters' in a little cordial made with Gentian extract to stop the discomfort of food that was "felt to be heavy in the stomach and troublesome." Most people find the neutral taste of the capsules preferable to the extremely bitter taste of drinks made with Gentian' bitters.' Among Gentian's constituents are iridoids including 4% gentiopicrosides (gentiopicrin and amarogentin - main bitter principle) and swertiomarin, alkaloids (gentianine and gentialutine), xanthones (gentisein, gentisin, isogentisin, gentioside, trimethoxyxanthone), caffeic and sinapic acids, linalool, limonene, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamin C.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at an early to midday mealtime.

Contraindications:
Pregnant women or those with high blood pressure or chronic gastrointestinal problems should use Gentian Herbal Supplement only under supervision of a physician. Avoid Gentian if you have diarrhea caused by poor digestion, or if you have excess stomach acid, heartburn, peptic ulcer disease or gastritis. Older children and adults over sixty-five should take Gentian only with direction from a health care provider.

Capsule Information:
Our Gentian 5:1 supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.