Semester 4, Week 2, Day 5

I got a few minutes of extra sleep this morning!  Hubby came in and got the kids.  He is returning to the road today.  He is waiting for his load to be ready so he can go get it.  Breakfast is done. I have no laundry to do today.  Shhhhhh.  I'm expecting 2 new books to arrive today.  I will be watching for the UPS man.  I did add a new book the other day.  This is the first volume of Hippocrates. There are 7 volumes that I can see and I plan to buy all of them because I want the historical herbal information from him.  If anyone wants to know what's in each volume, I can take a picture of the table of contents and share that here before you buy it.  This first volume looks very interesting.  The name on the author is listed as Jones because he is the one who translated it.  The cool thing about the book is it has the original language on one page and the English version on the opposite page.  I'm getting everything ready to do my practical tomorrow for my Wellness class.  I have to actually conduct wellness coaching which gives me a giggle on one end but I really don't want to do it on another. I understand they want to make sure I can do it but I don't like having my friends share their personal information.  They can create a scenario but it still doesn't feel right.  I'm going to leave this here because I have a lot to do still.  I need to look up a few things and I'm trying to get the books read and oh, by the way, I still need to update a bunch of herbariums.  I have this next herb and one more left for third semester that are complete.  I will most likely share my discussion posts again like I did at the beginning of last semester to give myself more time to get ready.  I'm still working through Petersen's book but I hope to be done with it soon.  It's really hard to give people advice when my plate is so full but I will do what I can. Love and Light!

On to Gentian.

Constituents: Iridoids (marogentin, gentiopicroside – gentiopicrin, swertiamarin), xanthones (gentisen, gentisin, isogentisin), alkaloids (gentianine and gentialutine), phenolic acids (gentisic, caffeic, protocatechuic, syringic, sinapic acids), sugars (gentianose, gentiobiose), traces of volatile oil (Hoffman, 2003, p. 553). Chevallier (2016) adds bitter principles (gentiopicroside, amarogentin) and inulin (p. 99).  The amarogentin makes this the most bitter herb in existence.

Therapeutic Actions: Bitter, sialagogue, hepatic, cholagogue, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, emmenagogue (Hoffman, 2003, p. 553). Petersen (2018) adds antidepressant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, febrifuge, stomachic, tonic, vascorelaxant, and vermifuge (p. 26).  

Indications: Excellent bitter – stimulates the appetite and digestion. It promotes the production of bile, gastric juices and saliva. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 553). Chevallier (2016) add the improved digestion aids in nutrient absorption (p. 99).

Safety: May cause headaches. Do not use during pregnancy. Do not use with gastric or duodenal ulcers (Hoffman, 2003, p. 553). Chevallier (2016) adds not to take if you have acid reflux (p 319).

Have a Great Day!