Gentiana crassicaulis
Gentiana crassicaulis, commonly known as the thick-stemmed gentian, is a striking perennial herb native to the high-altitude alpine meadows of the Himalayas. Renowned for its vibrant blue flowers and robust structure, this medicinal plant is highly valued in traditional practices for its bitter properties and various therapeutic applications.
- Scientific name: Gentiana crassicaulis
- Family: Gentianaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is a member of the order Gentianales and the family Gentianaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identification is completed under the genus Gentiana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Gentianaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gentiana | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Gentiana crassicaulis, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is widely identified by the names 粗茎龙胆, 粗茎龙胆 (simplified), and 粗茎龙胆 (used specifically in mainland China). Additionally, it is recognized through the traditional names 秦艽 and 茱苓草.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 粗茎龙胆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 粗茎龙胆 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 粗茎龙胆 | Wikidata |
| zh | 秦艽 | Wikidata |
| zh | 茱苓草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 吉勒泽 | Wikidata |
| zh | 粗茎秦艽 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within specific mountainous regions of East Asia. Its geographical distribution is concentrated in the South-Central parts of China. Additionally, it can be located within the high-altitude territories of Tibet. These specific habitats provide the unique environmental conditions necessary for its growth. Therefore, its range is limited to these distinct areas of China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gentiana crassicaulis, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine, where the primary part utilized is the root. The root of this species is typically thick and fleshy, serving as the main storage organ for the plant's bioactive compounds, such as bitter gentianins. In medicinal applications, the root is harvested, dried, and often processed into powders or tinctures to harness its therapeutic properties, which are believed to aid digestion and stimulate appetite.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Gentiana crassicaulis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gentiopicroside, loganic acid, sweroside, swertiamarin, irlbacholine.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gentiopicroside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| loganic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sweroside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| swertiamarin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irlbacholine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| loganin acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Gentiana crassicaulis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Gentiana crassicaulis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatism, apoplexy, arthralgia, hepatitis, jaundice.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rheumatism | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoplexy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthralgia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stroke | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |