Gentiana officinalis
Gentiana officinalis, commonly known as common gentian, is a perennial herb renowned for its intensely bitter roots. Historically prized in traditional medicine, it serves as a powerful digestive tonic. Its unique bitter compounds stimulate appetite and support gastrointestinal health, making it a staple in various herbal bitters and tonics.
- Scientific name: Gentiana officinalis
- Family: Gentianaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Gentiana officinalis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gentianales. Finally, it is classified under the family Gentianaceae and 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 officinalis, is referred to by various common names across different linguistic and regional contexts. In Chinese, it is frequently identified as 黄管秦艽 (also written as 黄管秦艽 in simplified characters and specifically in mainland China), while it is also widely known by the name 龙胆草. Additionally, the name 解吉那保 is associated with this species in certain linguistic traditions.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 黄管秦艽 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 黄管秦艽 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黄管秦艽 | Wikidata |
| zh | 龙胆草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 解吉那保 | Wikidata |
| zh | 甘南秦艽 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across certain regions of China. It can be found growing within the South-Central area of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the North-Central part of China. The species is also documented to inhabit the Qinghai province. These findings highlight the localized geographical range of Gentiana officinalis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gentiana officinalis, is highly valued for its medicinal properties, which are primarily concentrated within its specialized roots. The therapeutic efficacy of the plant is derived from the complex tissue types found within these underground structures, where secondary metabolites like bitter glycosides are synthesized and stored. Within the root system, the vascular tissues facilitate the transport of nutrients, while the parenchyma cells serve as the essential storage sites for the chemical compounds that define its pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tissue types | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Gentiana officinalis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gentiopicroside, Loganic acid, Sweroside, Swertiamarine.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Gentiopicroside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loganic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sweroside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Swertiamarine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |