Centaurium erythraea

Centaury

Centaurium erythraea, commonly known as Erythraean Centaury, is a perennial herb valued in traditional herbalism for its bitter properties. Renowned for supporting digestive health, it acts as a potent bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and bile production, making it a significant botanical tool for enhancing gastrointestinal function and vitality.

  • Scientific name: Centaurium erythraea
  • Family: Gentianaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Gentianaceae and the genus Centaurium. Specifically, its scientific name is Centaurium erythraeum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Gentianaceae WCVP
Genus Centaurium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Centaurium erythraea, is known by various common names depending on the regional language and dialect. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 红色百金花 (zh-hans) or 红色百金花 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is identified as 日本鬼燈檠 (zh-hant). This specific name, 日本鬼燈檠, is also used in the Hong Kong region (zh-hk), whereas in Singapore (zh-sg), it is commonly called 日本鬼灯檠.
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 红色百金花 Wikidata
zh-hant 日本鬼燈檠 Wikidata
zh-hk 日本鬼燈檠 Wikidata
zh-cn 红色百金花 Wikidata
zh-sg 日本鬼灯檠 Wikidata
zh-tw 日本鬼燈檠 Wikidata
pl centuria pospolita Wikidata
hu kis ezerjófű Wikidata
lv Čemuru augstiņš Wikidata
de Echtes Tausendgüldenkraut Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. It can also be found extending further north within the borders of Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is present in Middle Europe. Specifically, its distribution includes the country of Austria.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP
Middle Europe Netherlands WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Centaurium erythraeum, is utilized in various traditional medicinal practices through several of its components. The therapeutic properties are primarily derived from the herb of Centaurium erythraeum, which encompasses the overall plant structure used for treatment. Specifically, the medicinal preparations often focus on the aerial parts, which include the stems and leaves visible above the ground. Additionally, the flowering tops are frequently collected for their concentrated bioactive compounds, while the roots serve as another vital part of the plant used in specialized decoctions and extracts.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
herb of Centaurium erythraea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flowering tops 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Centaurium erythraea has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, BDE209, Ca, Cd, Co.

Total chemicals
32
Scientific sources
32

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
3-hydroxybenzoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
BDE209 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Ca 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cd 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Co 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cr 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cu 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fe 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mg 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mn 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Centaurium erythraea has 19 reported activities identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antipyretic, Analgesic, Antiapoplectic, Antibacterial.

Total activities
19
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiapoplectic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticoagulant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiflatulent 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Centaurium erythraea has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include urinary tract infections, Acute Kidney Injury, anticoagulant, cystitis, dental caries.

Total uses
20
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
urinary tract infections 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Acute Kidney Injury 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anticoagulant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cystitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dental caries 1 ★☆☆☆☆
denture stomatitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastrointestinal disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hemorrhoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆