Key Constituents

Secoiridoid bitter glycosides (gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, sweroside, centapicrin)^{[12, 13]}

The intensely bitter principles that stimulate digestive secretions.

Glycosides

Xanthones and flavonoids^{[12, 13]}

Additional constituents of the herb.

Flavonoids

Phenolic acids^[12]

Antioxidant constituents.

Phenolic acids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[4, 12, 13]}

Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^{[4, 9, 12, 13]}

Aromatic bitter tonic for temporary loss of appetite

Digestive aid^{[1, 4, 5, 12, 13]}

Gastroprotective^{[1, 4, 12, 13]}

Hepatoprotective (liver support)^{[4, 12, 13]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Acid reflux^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

more plants for acid reflux →detailed sources →

Loss of appetite^{[12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Aromatic bitter tonic for temporary loss of appetite

more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →

Arthritis / joint pain^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Detox / cleansing^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from hepatoprotective action

more plants for detox / cleansing →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Liver support^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from hepatoprotective action

more plants for liver support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[4, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[12]Caution

Because bitters increase stomach-acid secretion, centaury is contraindicated in peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcer disease and hyperacidity.

Safety note^[12]Caution

Traditional use only; appetite loss or dyspepsia that persists needs medical assessment. Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.

References

REF-0767, REF-0768, REF-0769, REF-0619, REF-1988, REF-1989, REF-1990, REF-1991, REF-1992, REF-1993, REF-1994

References & Sources

Tuluce, Y., Ozkol, H., Koyuncu, I. and Ine, H (2011) 'Gastroprotective effect of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea L) on aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats', Toxicology and Industrial Health, 27(8), pp. 760-768. doi:10.1177/0748233710397421 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233710397421
Chabane, S., Boudjelal, A., Bouaziz-Terrachet, S., Spinozzi, E. et al (2023) 'Analgesic effect of Centaurium erythraea and molecular docking investigation of the major component swertiamarin', Natural Product Research, 38(24), pp. 4511-4517. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2278160 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2278160
Akşit, H., Gözcü, S. and Altay, A (2022) 'Isolation and cytotoxic activities of undescribed iridoid and xanthone glycosides from Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae)', Phytochemistry, 205, pp. 113484. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113484 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113484
El Menyiy, N., Guaouguaou, F.E., El Baaboua, A., El Omari, N., Taha, D. and others (2021) 'Phytochemical properties, biological activities and medicinal use of Centaurium erythraea Rafn', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114171 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114171
Guedes, L., Reis, P.B.P.S., Machuqueiro, M., Ressaissi, A., Pacheco, R. and Serralheiro, M.L (2019) 'Bioactivities of Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Decoctions: Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibition and Docking Studies', Molecules, 24(20), pp. 3795. doi:10.3390/molecules24203795 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24203795
Dordevic, M., Mihailovic, M., Arambasic Jovanovic, J., Grdovic, N., Uskokovic, A., Tolic, A., Sinadinovic, M., Rajic, J., Misic, D., Siler, B., Poznanovic, G., Vidakovic, M. and Dinic, S (2017) 'Centaurium erythraea methanol extract protects red blood cells from oxidative damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 202, pp. 172-183. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.016
Dordevic, M., Grdovic, N., Mihailovic, M., Arambasic Jovanovic, J., Uskokovic, A., Rajic, J., Sinadinovic, M., Tolic, A., Misic, D., Siler, B., Poznanovic, G., Vidakovic, M. and Dinic, S (2019) 'Centaurium erythraea extract improves survival and functionality of pancreatic beta-cells in diabetes through multiple routes of action', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 242, pp. 112043. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112043 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112043
Chda, A., El Kabbaoui, M., Fresco, P., Silva, D., Goncalves, J., Oliveira, A.P., Andrade, P.B., Valentao, P., Tazi, A., El Abida, K. and Bencheikh, R (2019) 'Centaurium Erythraea Extracts Exert Vascular Effects through Endothelium- and Fibroblast-dependent Pathways', Planta Medica, 86(2), pp. 121-131. doi:10.1055/a-1023-8918 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1023-8918
Kumarasamy, Y., Nahar, L., Cox, P.J., Jaspars, M. and Sarker, S.D (2003) 'Bioactivity of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea', Phytomedicine, 10(4), pp. 344-347. doi:10.1078/094471103322004857 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1078/094471103322004857
Kachmar, M.R., Oliveira, A.P., Valentao, P., Gil-Izquierdo, A., Dominguez-Perles, R., Ouahbi, A., Badaoui, K.E., Andrade, P.B. and Ferreres, F (2018) 'HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS phenolic profile and in vitro biological potential of Centaurium erythraea Rafn aqueous extract', Food Chemistry, 278, pp. 424-433. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.11.082 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.11.082
Mandova, T., Audo, G., Michel, S. and Grougnet, R (2017) 'Off-line coupling of new generation centrifugal partition chromatography device with preparative high pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry triggering fraction collection applied to the recovery of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae)', Journal of Chromatography A, 1513, pp. 149-156. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2017.07.023 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2017.07.023
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'Assessment report on Centaurium erythraea Rafn s.l., herba (Centaurii herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/assessment-report-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/assessment-report-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf
Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Centaury (Centaurium erythraea): Benefits, Safety, Uses'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/centaury/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/centaury/

Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio