Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

American Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), also known simply as centaury, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within European and American herbal traditions. Historically, centaury has been used as a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and support digestion. The bitter compounds in the plant, such as secoiridoid glycosides (notably swertiamarin and gentiopicroside), are believed to promote the secretion of digestive juices and bile, thereby aiding in the digestion of food and potentially helping to relieve symptoms such as gas and bloating. Traditional herbalists have recommended centaury in preparations like teas or tinctures for individuals experiencing digestive discomfort, especially when associated with sluggish digestion.

However, scientific research directly evaluating the efficacy of American Centaury for gas and bloating is limited. Most evidence remains anecdotal or is extrapolated from its general action as a bitter herb. There are a few laboratory studies suggesting that bitter herbs may stimulate digestive secretions, but robust clinical trials specifically on American Centaury are lacking. As such, its use for gas and bloating is primarily justified by traditional practice rather than by modern scientific validation.

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