CENTAURIUM (CENTAURY)
Written by Slawomir (“Swavak”) Gromadzki, MPH
Centaurium (Centaury) (biological names: Centaurium umbellatum, syn.: Centaurium erythraea, Erythraea centaurium, Centaurium minus) is the best herbal remedy for people suffering from dyspepsia, hiatus hernia > and acid reflux >. I recommended centaurium tincture to many of my clients and customers in Poland and England with excellent results. The following short testimonial by a person with hiatus hernia is an example of effectiveness of this herb: “This is the best medicine ever for stomach trouble. Mine is hiatus hernia and I have taken centaurium for years. Through taking it I feel normal every day and it helps me to digest. Before it I felt very ill. It keeps me going and I live a normal life because of it.”
Centaurium is often used to bring relief in following conditions: Dyspepsia, Heartburn, Hiatus hernia, Indigestion, Acid reflux, Eating disorders, Appetite problems (it regulates appetite), Nausea, Anorexia, Bloating, Gas, or Flatulence.
Traditionally the herb is also used to treat fever, hence one of its popular names is feverwort. The taste of this herb is bitter due to active ingredients which regulates and enhances production of gastric secretions, thus regulating appetite and improving digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Other benefits include anti-inflammatory as well as antimutagenic effects. It also supports the liver and kidney function, purifies the blood, and is regarded as an excellent tonic.
For medicinal purposes the leavs and whole herb is used. The herb is collected in July and dried. You can use Centaurium 2 or 3 times a day in the form of a tincture, powder or herbal tea. In the UK the Vogel’s Centaurium tincture is mostly used in health shops and pharmacies. I myself recommended it for years with excellent results but if you prefare to try a tea there are many places you can get Centaurium herb online including Amazon > or Ebay >:
To make a tea use 1 tablespoon of dried herb per 1 glass of hot water, cover and leave for 30 minutes. You can also add 3 tablespoons to 3-4 glasses (1 litre) of hot water in a large thermos flask and drink 1 glass 3 times a day.
Centaurium umbellatum, used in Vogel’s Centaurium tincture, is a small plant with purple flowers. It may be found in many parts of the world but especially in Middle Europe and Asia. The herb contains many antioxidants and active ingredients including phenolic acids (ferulic and sinapic acids), plant sterols such as brassicasterol and stigmasterol, and two secoiridoid glycosides (swertiamarin and sweroside).
According to Culpepper, Centaurium “is so safe that you cannot fail in the using of it… It kills worms … A dram of the powder taken in wine, is a wonderful good help against the biting and poison of an adder. The juice of the herb with a little honey put to it, is good to clear the eyes from dimness, mists and clouds. It is good for wounds, old ulcers and sores, to close up and cleanse . The decoction takes away all freckles, spots, and marks in the skin, being washed with it.”
CENTAURIUM (A. VOGEL)
Ingredients
Tincture of organically grown fresh aerial parts of Centaurium umbellatum (Centaury), extracted in alcohol (66%V/V)
Directions for use
Adults: 10 – 15 drops 3 times daily before meals, in a little water.
Children (2-12 years): 1 drop per year of age twice daily in a little water.
Please seek medical advice if pregnant.
REVIEWS (Amazon UK)
By Rosemarie – 6 Feb. 2013
“I’ve found Centaurium the best remedy I’ve come across for heartburn. It acts quickly and is much gentler on the body than antacids.”
By Poppy – 18 Dec. 2014
“This is the best medicine ever for stomach trouble. Mine is hiatus hernia and I have taken centaurium for years. Through taking it I feel normal every day and it helps me to digest. Before it I felt very ill. It keeps me going and I live a normal life because of it.”
By babypink – 16 Jan. 2015
“I bought this for indigestion and it really helped. You just need to put a few drops in a drink, as it tastes a bit weird, before meals. I would rather take a herbal remedy than have to go to the doctors. would recommend.”
By Piotr – 9 Sept. 2015
“I suffered from acid reflux for years. I tried many doctors and lots of different medicine. At some point I had to take big dosages in order not to feel the pain. Few months ago I turned to natural medicine and tried Centaurium. It simply worked for me. I was taking it 3 times a day (15 drops) while maintaining the diet. At the moment I am taking it only once or twice a day and I am able to eat things which I was not able to before when I was using standard anti reflux meds. I am very happy with the results and I recommend it to everyone who struggles with acid reflux. I hope it will also work for you.”
By stepless – 16 Oct. 2015
“I am yet another success story. I have taken Omeprazone for years for acid reflux and worried about what it was doing to me. a friend recommended Centaurium and I have not looked back! I am down to 10 drops in a little water per day and need nothing else. Symptoms one in a blue moon and sipping water sorts that out.”
By not me – 31 July 2015
“I got mine from health food shop but am so overwhelmed by its success with my constant acid (years of gaviscon) that I wanted to let other people know. I have it before bed and sometimes in the day. No acid at all and nor sharp stabbing pain from throat spasms either :)”
RELATED ARTICLES
SOURCES
– Kumarasamy, Y.; Nahar, L.; Cox, P. J.; Jaspars, M.; Sarker, S. D. (2003). “Bioactivity of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea”. Phytomedicine (urbanfischer.de) 10: 344–347. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
– Valentão, P.; Fernandes, E.; Carvalho, F.; Andrade, P. B.; Seabra, R. M.; Bastos, M. L. (July 2001). “Antioxidant Activity ofInfusion Evidenced by Its Superoxide Radical Scavenging and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 49 (7): 3476–3479. doi:10.1021/jf001145s.
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