Zolototysyachnik / Common centaury

Centaurium erythraea

Slavic

Photo credit: Picture taken by BerndH

Safety information

Toxicity: Mild. As an intense bitter it can aggravate hyperacidity/ulcers.

Contraindications: Peptic ulcer / gastritis / hyperacidity (bitters stimulate gastric acid — avoid); pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data — caution).

Interactions: None well-characterised.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy/lactation: insufficient data — caution.

Evidence level

Traditional (systematized)

Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature.

Preparations

tincture (bitters) · flowering herb

Part used: flowering herb

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

infusion (bitter tea) · flowering herb

Part used: flowering herb

Traditional use: bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and digestion, dyspepsia, sluggish stomach, 'to strengthen', folk for liver/gallbladder and fever

Proposed mechanism: secoiridoid bitter glycosides (gentiopicroside/swertiamarin) — among the most bitter herbs

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Indigestion / dyspepsia Loss of appetite Fever sluggish stomach

Nutritional notes

Not a food source.

Healing traditions

Slavic

Sources (1)

EMA/HMPC Centaurii herba monograph

All sources →