Gentian

Gentian

　　Gentian, belonging to the Gentianaceae family, includes genera such as Gentiana, Swertia, and Tripterospermum. Along with rhododendrons and primroses, it is known as one of the world’s three great alpine flowers. China is home to over 240 species of Gentiana, most of which grow in the high-altitude regions of the southwest, with only a few species found around Beijing.

　　 Other common names include Dǎn Cǎo (Bile Herb), Kǔ Dǎn Cǎo (Bitter Bile Herb), and Lóng Dǎn Cǎo (Gentian Herb).

　　 Among Gentianaceae plants with ornamental value are Gentiana sino-ornata, Gentiana panthaica, Gentiana veitchiorum, Gentiana phyllocalyx, Gentiana szechenyii, and Gentiana platypetala.

　　 　 These plants are also important medicinal herbs. Qin Qiang, also known as Large-leaf Gentian, is a perennial herb of the Gentianaceae family whose roots can be used medicinally. The properties and flavors of gentian are described in Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* as follows: “Bitter, astringent, very cold, non-toxic. It treats bone chills and fevers, fright disorders and pathogenic qi, severed injuries, calms the five organs, and kills parasites and toxins.” It is one of the main herbs used to treat rheumatic joint pain, tidal fever, and steaming bones.

　　 　 It refers to the roots of Gentiana scabra Bunge and Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa, both from the Gentiana genus of the Gentianaceae family. They mainly contain gentiopicroside, accounting for about 90% of their content, and offer benefits such as clearing liver and gallbladder heat, purging lower-jiao damp-heat, and strengthening the stomach. It is used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, tinnitus, red and swollen eyes, chest and rib pain, cholecystitis, damp-heat jaundice, acute infectious hepatitis, cystitis, vaginal itching, boils, and abscesses. It is primarily produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning.

　　 　 Gentian has won people’s affection with its gorgeous and varied flower shapes and colors.