Minor Centaurea in Herbalist: Property of the Centaurea Minor

Scientific name

Centaurium minus, synonym: Centaurium erythraea

Family

Gentianaceae

Origin

Common plant in forests throughout Europe and northern Africa

Used Parts

Drug consisting of flowering tops

Chemical constituents

Bitter substances;
Flavonoids;
Secoiridoid glycosides (sveroside, centapicrina, svertiamarine, gentiopicrina);
Triterpenes.

Minor Centaurea in Herbalist: Property of the Centaurea Minor

The infused minor centaurea has an intense bitter taste, capable of stimulating the appetite and favoring digestion; moreover, it enters the composition of liqueurs and digestive teas also provided by the Pharmacopoeia.

The centaurea minor is indicated in the presence of anorexia (poor appetite), gastric atony, dyspepsias, fever and pathologies of the liver and gallbladder.

The popular tradition ascribes to the centaurea also epato-biliary depurative properties, which would make it rather useful in the presence of jaundice and hyperuricemia.

Biological activity

The minor centaurea - thanks to the bitter substances contained in it - is able to exercise aperitif and bitter-tonic properties, but not only. In fact, this plant is also home to cholagogic and choleretic activities (ie it favors both the production and excretion of bile) and is also endowed with antispasmodic activity at the gastrointestinal level. Therefore, the use of this plant is particularly indicated in case it is necessary to favor the appetite and facilitate the digestive processes.

Moreover, from studies conducted on animals, it emerged that the centaurea is also endowed with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

Finally, the plant is able to exert an anti-curse action. In fact, it seems that the infusion of minor centaurea - when applied externally - constitutes a valid remedy to be used against lice infestations.

However, to get more information about the uses of centaurea minor infusions, see the article on "Centaurea (herbaceous parts) in Tisane".

Centaurea minor against inappetence and dyspeptic disorders

As mentioned, thanks to the centaurea's ability to promote the secretion of saliva and gastric juices and thanks to the aperitif, bitter-tonic, antispasmodic, cholagogue and choleretic properties of which it is endowed, the use of this plant has obtained official approval for the treatment of dyspeptic disorders and loss of appetite.

For the treatment of the aforementioned disorders, it is usually recommended to take about 6 grams of drug per day.

In the case in which, instead, the centaura is used in the form of liquid extract (ratio drug / solvent 1: 1, using ethanol at 25% V / V as extraction solvent), generally, it is recommended to take 1-2 grams of product per day.

Centaurea minor in folk medicine and in homeopathy

Centaurea is used internally in folk medicine for the treatment of disorders such as fever, intestinal parasites, kidney stones and diabetes; in addition to finding employment as a hypotensive remedy.

Externally, however, traditional medicine uses this plant for the treatment of hemorrhoids and as a remedy to promote wound healing.

The minor centaurea is also used in the homeopathic field, where it can easily be found in the form of granules, oral drops and mother tincture.

Homeopathic medicine uses this plant in case of dyspeptic disorders, gastric disorders, intestinal parasitosis, liver failure and hepatitis.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary from patient to patient, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is intended to be used.

Side effects

If properly used, the minor centaurea should not cause any side effects. However, if the plant or its preparations are taken at high doses, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and gastric pain may occur.

Contraindications

The use of centaurea is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components, in patients suffering from gastrointestinal ulcers, hyperacidity and / or gastritis.

Furthermore, as a precautionary measure, the use of the centaura and its preparations is also contraindicated in pregnancy and during lactation.