Evidence supporting the use of: Centaurium erythraea
For the body system: Gall Bladder

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Table of Contents

Synopsis

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

Centaurium erythraea (commonly known as common centaury) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine to support the digestive system, including the gall bladder. In European folk medicine, centaury has been valued as a bitter tonic, believed to stimulate bile production and improve the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder. This is thought to aid digestion, particularly of fats, and to support overall gall bladder health. The perceived benefits are largely attributed to its content of bitter secoiridoid glycosides (such as swertiamarin and gentiopicrin), which are known to stimulate taste receptors and, consequently, digestive secretions including bile.

However, there is limited scientific research specifically examining the effects of Centaurium erythraea on the gall bladder in humans. While in vitro and animal studies have shown some choleretic (bile-stimulating) and hepatoprotective activities, clinical evidence is lacking. Most modern herbal reference texts cite traditional use rather than robust clinical trials as the basis for recommending centaury for gall bladder support. Therefore, its use for this purpose is best described as traditional, with a moderate rating due to the longevity of use and plausible mechanism but lack of direct scientific validation.

More about Centaurium erythraea
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Other body systems supported by Centaurium erythraea

Digestive System
Gall Bladder
Gastrointestinal Tract
Intestinal System
Liver
Stomach

Products containing Centaurium erythraea

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.