centaury lesser

A close relative of the gentian, the lesser centaury (Centaurium erythraea and the very similar Centaurium linariifolium) shares with that one its quality as a very bitter plant, a characteristic that was well known since antiquity and that makes it a good ally of the liver.

As Dr. Font i Quer collects in his renewed Dioscórides, Andrés de Laguna already refers to this plant as “earth gall” due to its excessive bitterness, which paradoxically makes it very useful to decongest the liver and to resolve hardness in the spleen.

And he tells that in Italy women used the decoction of this plant to dye their hair blond, which was known as wine biondellawhich means “blonde” in Italian.

The centaury is a delicate plant, with the basal leaves in a rosette and the upper ones opposite. Its flowers are gathered in terminal clusters and have purple-pink petals spread out in the shape of a star.

It flowers from the month of May and during the summer, and the flowering tops are harvested shortly before they begin to bear fruit.

Medicinal properties

Knapweed contains bitter glycosides such as centapicrin, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins. It stands out for its great ability to stimulate digestive, hepatobiliary and pancreatic secretions. Like the other plants with a high bitter content, it can also be considered a immune defense stimulant of the organism. It is digestive and acts like a excellent liver tonicideal in case of congestion and atony of the liver.Associated with dandelion and chicoryindicated in decoction for chronic lack of appetite and to restore the functions of the liver after an embarrassment, poisoning or food allergy. It is attributed to him a slight lowering effect on LDL cholesterol or “bad”, as well as blood glucose levels, which is why it is indicated as support in mild diabetes.In external use applies on skin ulcers, sores and how wound disinfectantas well as in eye drops to alleviate the conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids.

herbal formulas

To give relief to the liver: Kentucky is combined with boldo to make a cleansing tea with a markedly bitter taste.
How to prepare it: Kentucky is combined with boldo leaves and two or three pieces of star anise are added to the mixture to attenuate its bitter taste. A tablespoon of the mixture is required per glass of water. It is left to macerate overnight, in the fridge, and the next day it is filtered.
How to take it: The infusion can be taken, sweetened with a teaspoon of whole sugar, on an empty stomach, three times a day.As support in mild diabetes: Herbalists recommend a very tight formula that combines centaury with bean pods, travalera and stevia, a sweetener suitable for diabetics.How to prepare it: A tablespoon of the mixture is macerated by half a glass of water overnight and taken on an empty stomach.

Presentation

It is found in the dried plant for infusion, in tincture, in infusion for eye drops and in decoction for washing and scrubbing.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”