GENTIAN

Gentiana ssp.: Liliaceae

PLANET: Mars

ELEMENT: Fire

TASTE: bitter	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V+P-K-

MERIDIANS: Liver, Gall Bladder

ACTIONS: bitter tonic, antipyretic, alterative, antibacterial, anthelminthic, laxative, destroys Ama.

INDICATIONS: fever, debility after fever, jaundice, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, genital herpes, acne, obesity, ulcers, venereal sores, diabetes, cancer, high Pita, gastritis, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, eczema

PRECAUTIONS: high Vata, muscle spasms

CONSTITUENTS: iridoids: AMAROGENTIN, GENTIOPICRIN (stimulates gastric secretion), swertiamarin; xanthones: GENTISEIN, GENTISIN, ISOGENTISIN; bitter glycosides: GENTIANINE and GENTIALUTINE, phenolic acids: GENTISIC, caffeic, protocathuic, syringic, sinapic; sugars: s GENTIANOSE and GENTIOBIOSE; traces of volatile oil.

PREPARATION AND USE:
-decoction
-as a digestive bitter in alcohol tincture, 10-30 drops, taken 20 min before meals
-can be combined with other bitter tonics and taken in the fall and spring as a liver cleanser
-powder
-combine with aloe for regulating liver-spleen function-decoction

USE IN MAGIC: Love, Power
-used in love sachets
-added to any spell, adds power

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-helps to release excess fires, ie frustrations and irritations
-allows a smoother flow of energy and a greater digestion and assimilation of skills and understanding
-brings out the master gardener who knows how to nurture and weed to bring seeds to fruition

"I am willing to do all that the Mother lets me know needs to be done. Attachment to other aims leads to frustration."

THE FLOWER ESSENCE