Herb of the Week: Centaury

Centaury (centaurium erythraea) is a bitter herb. For those of you who don't know, bitter herbs are actually very beneficial to our bodies, especially our digestive systems (which includes the liver). The bitter compounds in Centaury are called "secoiridoids" which are also found in olives and are bitter glycosides (a sugar compound). It is sometimes confused with St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) so always check an herb's latin name beforehand. But what's it really good for?

Those secoiridoids can actually stimulate stomach acid, bile production, and the body's digestive enzymes in order to increase digestion and to improve a person's appetite. This is a perfect addition to a digestive tincture for those who are older and are having issues with digestion and appetite. Because it increases digestion, it also decreases indigestion that causes bloating and gas accumulation.

There's also another bitter compound in Centaury called "gentiopicroside" which may protect the liver from damage. It's not surprising that something that helps digestion will also help the liver. Medical science has just recently added the liver to the brain-gut-axis now calling it the brain-gut-liver-axis.

This herb is also considered an anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant and has been historically used in Europe for reducing fevers, it was applied to wounds, and to cure jaundice. Unfortunately, like many other off the mainstream herbs, there hasn't been many human trials to verify the old wise women's uses of this herb but I'm willing to bet that they were pretty accurate but that's just my opinion.

What about witchcraft uses for centaury? One of its associations is with the centaur, Chiron (a great healer)! It's also used in healing rituals, to promote calmness in a sachet, enhance psychic abilities in a sachet, for protection around your home, for dreamwork, and can be used as a vehicle to increase a spell's or ritual's power and efficiency.

Now you know a little more about centaury! What will you use it for?