Gentiana tibetica 'Qin Jiao'

Gentianaceae: a perennial 40-50 cm tall, with erect, stout, stems. Found on the edges of cultivated land, roadsides, forest margins. The flowers are greenish white in dense clusters, to 3cm across, blooming from June-August. The leaves narrowly elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 12-20cm long, 4-6.5cm wide. Native to the mountain regions of West Nepal, Tibet, Sichuan.

USES:

The roots of gentian species contain some of the most bitter compounds known and make an excellent tonic for the whole digestive system, working especially on the stomach, liver and gall bladder. The root has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antirheumatic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive properties. The root is used internally in the treatment of arthritis, allergic inflammations, low-grade fever in chronic diseases, jaundice and hepatitis. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use

GROWING INFORMATION:

Keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Do not cover very small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs.

Plants require a moist well-drained soil in a sheltered position, a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity, high light intensity but a site where temperatures are not too high. They are therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection from the strongest sunlight. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance.

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