Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Centaurium erythraea, commonly known as common centaury, is traditionally used to support or treat dyspepsia (indigestion). Its use is well documented in European herbal medicine, dating back centuries. The herb is classified as a "bitter tonic," and its application for digestive complaints is rooted in the belief that bitter substances can stimulate appetite, gastric secretions, and overall digestive function. Centaurium erythraea contains bitter iridoids, mainly swertiamarin and gentiopicroside, which are thought to be responsible for these effects.

While the traditional use is strong, modern clinical trials specifically validating its effectiveness in treating dyspepsia are limited. Most evidence consists of in vitro studies, animal studies (demonstrating increased gastric secretions and motility), and extrapolation from its use in traditional medicine. Some pharmacological studies suggest that the bitter principles in Centaurium erythraea can stimulate gustatory nerves, leading to reflexive enhancement of digestive secretions. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognizes Centaurium erythraea as a "traditional herbal medicinal product" for the relief of mild dyspeptic disorders, based primarily on longstanding use rather than robust clinical trials.

In summary, Centaurium erythraea's use for dyspepsia is justified by tradition with some pharmacological rationale. However, high-quality clinical evidence is lacking, so the evidence rating is moderate.

More about Centaurium erythraea
More about Dyspepsia

Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia

cutch
Allspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
barberry
basil
Myrobalan
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
black pepper
blackberry
rice
chamomile
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
fennel
flavonols
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
Indian tinospora
licorice root
Marshmallow
mustard seed
oregon grape
Peppermint
phellodendron amurense
plantain
plum fruit
raspberry
slippery elm bark
Sphaeranthus indicus
Triphala
gastrodia
cardamom
papaya
Indian bael
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
Clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
Hedychium spicatum
anise
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Fumaria parviflora
Swertia
peony
boxthorne
Yarrow
prickly ash
Myrrh
chrysanthemum
dioscorea
fern
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
Morinda
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
Wood betony
White oak
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
geranium
avens
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Amomum
asafoetida
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Alstonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteraceae
ananain
Abuta
Aniseed myrtle
Arisaema
black seed
bai ji
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
bicarbonate
Blepharis
belleric myrobalan
bistort
Butea monosperma
Barleria
bitter grass
bael
Boswellia
banyan
bur-reed
black nightshade
Bombax
bitter principals
black root
banana
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
centaury
Cinnamomum
Combretum quadrangulare
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
citron
carry me seed
capsaicin
curcumen
catechu
Campylandra fimbriata
colombo
corktree
Curcuma
chirata
costus
colocynth
Celosia
dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
elephant\'s head
European five-finger grass
Embelia
Flueggea suffruticosa
four-leaved grass
goldthread
genipap
Gnaphalium
Guava
Gentianella amarella
gallotannin
Galangal
Hygrophila
Helicteres isora
Hempnettle
iridoid glycosides
Indian coraltree
long pepper
knotgrass
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
lotus
Lycopodium
little ironweed
Marjoram
Mucilage
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Meadow sage
Milkweed
Morning glory
marigold
magnolol
manzanita
Neoandrographolides
Nimbidin
Oxystelma
Phyllanthus
Premna
Phragmites
Psacalium peltatum
Plantago
Pluchea
Pepper Bark Tree
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peucedanum
Portulaca
Plumbago zeylanica
Pimpinella
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Papayotin
Potentilla
Quisqualis
rue
Rubus
Rubiaceae
Rhus coriaria
Sicklepod
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Southernwood
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Spantholobus
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
Sandy Everlasting
Servicetree
Sedanenolide
Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Varuna
Verbena
Vidanga
Viola
Water Pepper
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by Centaurium erythraea

Acid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Indigestion
Liver Detoxification
Ulcers

Products containing Centaurium erythraea

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.