Functional dyspepsia – Medicinal plants for treatment (IV)
Gentian (Gentiana lutea L.)
The roots and rhizome are the plant parts that constitute the drug. As active ingredients contains iridoids (bitter glycosides), simple sugars, phenolic acids, benzoic acid derivatives, xanthones, triterpenes, tannins, sterols, inulin, traces of essential oil and pyridine alkaloids.
Thanks to its content of bitter substances, the iridoids, gentian root stimulates the taste buds, an effect that reflects the production of juices increase gastrointestinal motility and accelerates gastric stomach emptying, thus aids digestion.
It also has effect cholagogue, choleretic and antispasmodic. It also appears to have immunostimulatory properties and antioxidant activity.
It is indicated to treat poor appetite and dyspepsia. Moreover, traditionally has been used since antiquity to treat aerophagia, gastrointestinal atony and biliary dyskinesia.The drug is used powdered or dried fluid extract or tincture. Is also used to prepare troches drug infusions, decoctions or the mash. To treat loss of appetite is to be administered one hour before meals, but for dyspepsia is more advisable to administer 15 or 30 minutes after meals.
Although it is considered that the root of gentian in the recommended therapeutic dose is a fairly safe drug, not recommended for use over an extended period due to the possibility of producing hepatotoxicity. Nor should use if peptic ulcer or gastritis as well as during pregnancy or lactation due to the absence of data supporting their safety.
In children, doses should be proportional to the adult, according to their body weight in ways not always alcohol.
The gentian root aids digestion.
Source: http://www.dfarmacia.com/farma/ctl_servlet?_f=37&id=13112895
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