Gentiana straminea

Gentiana straminea, commonly known as Chinese Gentian, is a revered medicinal herb in traditional practices. Renowned for its bitter properties, it is primarily utilized to support digestive health, clear heat, and detoxify the body. This potent botanical plays a vital role in treating inflammation and promoting overall metabolic balance.

  • Scientific name: Gentiana straminea
  • Family: Gentianaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Gentiana straminea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Gentianaecae and falls 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 straminea, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is widely recognized by the names 麻花艽 (zh), 麻花艽 (zh-hans), and 麻花艽 (zh-cn), as well as 蓟芥 (zh). Additionally, it is known by the name 吉勒泽 (zh).
Language Common Name Source
zh 麻花艽 Wikidata
zh-hans 麻花艽 Wikidata
zh-cn 麻花艽 Wikidata
zh 蓟芥 Wikidata
zh 吉勒泽 Wikidata
zh 秦艽 Wikidata
zh 解吉尕保 Wikidata
zh 麻花秦艽 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging distribution across various regions of China. It can be found growing throughout the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the northern reaches of Inner Mongolia. The species is also documented within the North-Central provinces of China. Finally, its geographical range includes the high-altitude terrains of both Qinghai and Tibet.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China Qinghai WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Gentiana straminea, utilizes its various anatomical structures to store and produce its potent medicinal compounds. The most therapeutically significant portions are the roots, which are harvested for their high concentration of bitter principles. Above the surface, the plant features upright stems that support a collection of green leaves, which serve to capture sunlight for energy production. When considering the plant in its entirety, both the aerial and underground parts contribute to its overall biological function, though the medicinal value is primarily concentrated in the subterranean elements rather than the visible foliage and stems.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial and underground parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Gentiana straminea has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gentiopicroside, loganic acid, swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, isoorientin.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
gentiopicroside 3 ★★☆☆☆
loganic acid 3 ★★☆☆☆
swertiamarin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
gentiopicrin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isoorientin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sweroside 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Gentiana straminea 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 straminea has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hepatitis, rheumatism, cholecystitis, gastritis, osteoarthritis.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
hepatitis 3 ★★☆☆☆
rheumatism 3 ★★☆☆☆
cholecystitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoarthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆