PDR for Herbal Medicines

174/CELERY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

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Umbelliferae," Ed. V. N. Hey wood. Pub. Academic Press,

London 1971.

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celeriac. In: PH 28(7): 1817-1824. 1989.

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1997.

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extract on lipid parameters of rats fed a high fat diet. In: PM

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flavor. In: J Food Sci 52(3):658-660. 1987.

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Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges Stuttgart 1997.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Centaurea cyanus

See Cornflower

Centaurium erythraea

See Centaury

Centaury

Centaurium erythraea

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried, aerial

parts of the flowering plant.

Flower and Fruit: The different-sized flowers form a dense

or loose cyme. They are purple to pink-red. seldom white.

The calyx tube is pentangular with awl-shaped tips. There

are 5 petals fused into a tube, 5 stamens mostly fused to the

corolla and 1 superior, narrowly linear ovary. The stigma is

2-lobed. The fruit is a large, yellow, many-seeded capsule.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual that grows to

between 5 and 30 cm high. The stem is erect, quadrangular

and unbranched. The cauline leaves are crossed opposite,

fleshy, oblong-ovate to lanceolate, and sessile. The basal

leaves are rosette-like, obovate and narrowed to a petiole.

Characteristics: Centaury has a very bitter taste.

Habitat: The plant is found in the Mediterranean region and

as far as Britain and Scandinavia. It is cultivated in the U.S.

Production: Centaury consists of the dried aerial parts, in

flower, of Centaurium erythraea. The plant is harvested

during the flowering season and dried quickly to retain the

flower color.

Not to be Confused With: Other Centaurium varieties.

Other Names: Feverwort, Centaury Gentian, Filwort, Cento-

ry, Christ's Ladder, Bitter Herb, Bitterbloom, Bitter Clover,

Eyebright, Rose Pink, Wild Succory, Canchalagua

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoide bitter principles (monoterpenes): in particular

swertiamarin, including among others gentiopicrin,

sweroside

Pyrridine alkaloids: gentianine, gentianidine

Xanthones: including methyl bellidifoline

EFFECTS

Centaury increases gastric secretion and salivation because

of the typical bitter reaction, also antiphlogistic and antipy-

retic effects have been studied in various animal experi-

ments. The effect for loss of appetite, stomach complaints

and dyspepsia can also be attributed to the amaroids.