Gentian Root Prep/Dose

Gentian root decoction and tincture are the best preparation forms. In the past these were also used to prepare salves and washes for topical use in sores, bruises, ulcers.

(Unless otherwise indicated)

Average adult daily dose: 0.1–2 g of the roots and rhizomes in 150 ml of water as an infusion, decoction or maceration, up to three times per day;

Fluid extract, 2–4 g

Tincture (1:5, 30% alcohol); 10 drops to 2ml (0.4 tsp) three times per day, 15-20 minutes before a meal.

Hydroethanolic extracts with an equivalent bitterness value

To stimulate the appetite, administer a single dose of a Gentian preparation one hour prior to meals; For dyspepsia, a single dose after a meal

Larger doses serve to drain, while smaller doses stimulate digestion.

The Physiomedical Dispensatory by William Cook, M.D., 1869

Pharmaceutical Preparations:

I. Compound Infusion. Bruised gentian, half an ounce; orange peel and coriander seeds, each one drachm. Pour on four fluid ounces of diluted alcohol; and after three hours add twelve fluid ounces of cold water. Strain in twelve hours. This is the Edinburgh and United States formula, of which a fluid ounce may be given as a dose. It keeps moderately well. It is customary to combine it with half its own volume of the compound infusion of senna and some cardamon, for evacuant and tonic purposes in constipation and dyspepsia. I have found much advantage in combining two ounces of this infusion with half an ounce of the sirup of juglans, of which the dose may be half a fluid ounce or more three times a day.

II. Compound Tincture. Gentian, two ounces; orange peel, one ounce; cardamon seeds, half an ounce. Macerate for fourteen days in two pints of diluted alcohol. Or the crushed materials may be macerated, and then treated in a percolator. This also is a preparation of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, of which the usual dose is a fluid drachm. It is too intense for continued use; and a much more acceptable compound tincture can be made by treating one ounce each of crushed gentian and liriodendron, and half an ounce each of orange peel and coriander, with two pints of thirty percent alcohol; the dose of which would be from one to two fluid drachms. A Wine Tincture is also made by treating half an ounce of gentian, one ounce of yellow cinchona, two drachms of bitter orange peel, and one drachm of canella, with four fluid ounces of diluted alcohol and two pints of Sherry wine. Dose from half to a whole fluid ounce. It is suited only to very languid conditions. It is also tinctured with rhubarb, though to poor advantage. The Extract is a strong preparation, seldom used. The article can be combined most suitably with such relaxant tonics as eupatorium, anthemis, or liriodendron; or with such relaxing alterants as arctium, celastrus, or euonymus.

III. Fluid Extract. A pound of crushed gentian is macerated with seventy per cent. alcohol, and percolated till twelve fluid ounces have passed, which are set aside; percolation continued with diluted alcohol till two more pints have passed, which are evaporated on the water-bath to four fluid ounces, mixed with the first product and filtered.  Dose, ten drops to half a fluid drachm. This article enters into various combinations with cinchona, quassia, euonymus, and other tonics and alterants.