Common centaury

(Centaurlum umbellatum gilib.) – agentian plant (gentianaceae). For medicinal purposes, the grass plants containing bitter glycosides (gentsiopikrin, eritaurin, eritrotsentaurin, etc.), an alkaloid gentsianin, ascorbic and oleic acids, essential oils, mucus and etc., are harvested. Centaury is used as a bitter to excite the appetite and improve digestion. The plant stimulates the secretion of digestive glands, increases peristalsis of intestine organs and produces a laxative effect.