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Centaury Drug Information - Precautions to be kept in mind while using Centaury
Taxonomic Class
Gentianaceae
Common Trade Names
None known.
Common Forms
Available as the crude herb and liquid.
Source
Active components are extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers of Centaurium erythraea, C. umbellatum, and C. minus, which are annual or biennial herbs. C. erythraea may be referred to as Erythraea centaurium.
Chemical Components
Centaury contains numerous compounds, including alkaloids (gentianidine, gentianine, and gentioflavine), monoterpenoids (centapicrin, gentioflavoside, gentiopicroside, iridoids, swertiamarin, and sweroside), triterpenoids (alpha- and beta-amyrin, brassicasterol, campesterol, crataegolic acid, delta-7 stigmastenol erythrodiol, oleanolic acid, oleanolic lactone, sitosterol, and stigmasterol), phenolic acids (betacoumaric, caffeic acids, ferulic, m- and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic, sinapic, syringic, and vanillic), flavonoids, xanthones (demethyleustomin and eustomin), fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids), alkanes (heptacosane and nonacosane), and waxes.
Actions
Centaury is claimed to have bitter tonic and sedative properties. Gentiopicrin has demonstrated antimalarial properties. The aqueous extract of C. erythraea has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity this anti-inflammatory potency is less than half that of indomethacin.
Two components of centaury (polymethoxylated xanthones), eustomin and demethyleustomin, have demonstrated antimutagenic properties in vitro .
Reported uses
Claims for centaury stem from traditional use as a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite. Anecdotal information reports that centaury is used for its astringent properties in cosmetics. Ancient Egyptians used this herb to treat kidney stones. The liquid is claimed to be the treatment for the weak-willed and exploited.
Dosage
For most uses, 2 to 4 ml of a liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) or infusion P.O. t.i.d. The German Commission E suggests 1 to 2 g of the crude herb daily.
Adverse reactions
None reported.Interactions
None reported.
Contraindications And Precautions
Avoid using centaury in pregnant or breast-feeding patients; effects are unknown.
Special Considerations
Urge the patient not to use centaury because little is known about its safety and efficacy.
Instruct the patient who still wants to use this herb to avoid long-term use because the effects of such usage are unknown.
Advise women to avoid using centaury during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.
Points of Interest
Centaury is found in trace quantities in vermouth. Usual concentrations are about 0.0002%, or 2.3 parts per million. Similar quantities occur in some nonalcoholic beverages.
Commentary
Centaury should not be used for any condition because of the lack of safety and efficacy data. No human clinical trial data are available.