Page 249 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

RADIX GENTIANAE

Gentiana, Yellow Gentian Root.
It is the dried fermented root and rhizome of Gentiana lutea L., Fam.
Gentianacea. It contains not more than 2% foreign organic matter. It is herbaceous
perennial with large opposite, broadly ovate leaves, and yellow flowers. It is
indigenous to central Europe, growing abundantly on the lower slopes in France,
Spain, and the Balkans (where the roots are obtained from wild plants). There are
small-scale plantations in France and Germany (where the plant is fully
protected).

Macroscopical Characters
The drug consists of brownish, reddish-brown, or deep brown roots which
are up to several centimeters thick and often fragments of rhizome, which is
transversely wrinkled on the surface. The roots are longitudinally grooved. In the
transverse section of the broken drug, there is a relatively narrow bark (with a
coarsely wrinkled cork) and a distinct ring of cambium delimiting the xylem. Odor
is weak and peculiarly sweetish reminiscent of dried figs. Taste is at first sweetish
then persistently and intensely bitter.

An up to more than 1 m tall perennial, herbaceous mountain plant with oval
green robust leaves, axillary flowers with 5, rarely more, yellow petals. It occurs

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