Centaurium erythraea (common centaury) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine for digestive complaints, including gastritis. Its use is primarily based on traditional knowledge rather than robust scientific evidence. Traditionally, centaury is considered a “bitter tonic,” believed to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices and promote appetite and digestion, which was thought to be beneficial in conditions involving impaired gastric function, such as mild gastritis or dyspepsia. Historical herbal texts, including those from the European and Mediterranean regions, reference centaury as a remedy for stomach ailments.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the German Commission E both list centaury as a traditional herbal medicinal product for temporary loss of appetite and mild dyspeptic/gastrointestinal complaints, but not specifically for the treatment of gastritis as a medical diagnosis. Scientific studies directly evaluating the efficacy of Centaurium erythraea for gastritis are lacking. There are some in vitro and animal studies suggesting anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties of centaury extracts, but clinical trials in humans for gastritis are absent or insufficient. Thus, while the plant is still found in some digestive herbal blends, its use for gastritis should be considered traditional, with limited scientific support.