Synopsis

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

Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), a herb native to Europe and parts of Asia, has a long-standing place in traditional herbal medicine. Historical records and ethnobotanical sources document its use as a bitter tonic for digestive issues, including indigestion, loss of appetite, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. The herb’s bitter compounds, mainly secoiridoid glycosides like gentiopicroside, are believed to stimulate gastric secretions, thereby aiding digestion and potentially alleviating symptoms like mild nausea. In various traditional European pharmacopeias and folk remedies, Centaury infusions or tinctures are recommended for “weak digestion” and occasional gastrointestinal discomfort.

However, there is minimal scientific validation for its specific efficacy in treating nausea and vomiting. While some in vitro and animal studies suggest centaury extracts may have gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking. The evidence for its use in nausea and vomiting remains largely anecdotal and traditional, rather than evidence-based. Thus, while its historical application is well documented, its scientific support for this particular indication is weak, justifying a low evidence score.

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