Centauri minus, Centaury the less

Centaurea, Febrifuga, Fel Terra, Libadion (Pliny), Leptophyllum (Theophrastus)
Seigar (Arabic)
Picture Mesuae Opera, 1570

Picture Kohler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Picture Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:


Centaurium erythraea

Parts used:


Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cold (said to be Warm), dry. Bitter
gently binding, cleansing, opening

Classifications:


2A APERIENT.   2B ATTENUATER.   2F. PURIFYING.   2G. CLEANSING.   2N. REPELLENT.   2S. STRENGTHENING.   2T. GLUTINATE
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC.   3G. EMMENAGOGUE.   3M. ARTHRITIC
4g. HEPATIC.    4k. ARTHRITIC

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Damp, Opens the Spleen and Liver;
–Jaundice; pain of the sides
-hardness of the Liver and Spleen
-Edema, Gout

2. Clears Heat, Stops Cough, Resists Poison:
-Influenza
-Fevers: intermittent, chronic Fevers
-Cough, shortness of Breath, Wheezing, Lung Ulcers (juice mixed with Honey) (Salmon)

3. Promotes Digestion:
-poor appetite, indigestion, heartburn, colic, mild constipation

4. Clears Heat, Reduces Spasms, Eases Pain, Strengthens Sinews and Joints:
–‘Centaury is very good for all infirmities of the Sinews, howsoever they be’ (Wirtzung).
-chronic joint Pain, Sciatica, Rheumatism

5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea; painful, delayed or scanty Menstruation associated with Heat
-Hysteria and PMS.

6. Kills Worms:
-Tapeworm
-strong washes are used for Parasites

7. Externally:
-Pain of the Joints or Sniews (herb boiled in oil and applied)
-swollen, painful and hard lumps of the Breast (herb boiled in oil and applied)
-Back Pain (ointment)
-Rickets (ointment applied to the spine and joints)
-good for Wounds; old, moist and putrid Ulcers and Sores; Running Sores and Ulcers (Powder applied or Cataplasm)
-Ulcers, juice mixed with Honey and applied
-juice. decoction, distilled water or Saline Tincture as a wash to cleanse the skin; Freckles, Spots
-wash for ‘spreading Scabs of the Head’. (Culpeper)
-applied with Honey to Fistulas (Pliny)
-Collyrium made of the juice with Honey is applied for dimness of sight, Sore, Inflamed and Tearing Eyes, Ulcers of the Eyes


Dose:


Powder: 500mg–3 grams

Substitutes:


 … available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Poor digestion: combine Centaury with  … available in PRO version
2. To promote appetite:
i. Centaury with  … available in PRO version
ii. Centaury with  … available in PRO version
3. Gastrointestinal Ulcers, combine Centaury with  … available in PRO version
4. To clear Heat and Damp and open obstructions, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
5. To make Purging Bitter Decoction, Centaury  … available in PRO version
6. Bitter Tincture, to stimulate appetite and digestion and open the Liver: combine Centaury with  … available in PRO version
7. Jaundice, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
8. Hepatitis, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
9. Fever, combine Centaury with  … available in PRO version
10. Boils, Abscesses, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
11. Rabies, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
12. Catarrh, combine Centaury with  … available in PRO version
13. Anemia (from Liver congestion) Centaury with  … available in PRO version
14. Chlorosis, Amenorrhea, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
15. Vertigo, Centaury with  … available in PRO version
16. Arthritis, Joint diseases:
i. Centaury with  … available in PRO version
ii. Centaury with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas


Bitter Decoction
Aromatic Bitter Decoction
Decoction for Boils and Abscess
Electuary of Centaury (Zenon)
Antidote of Seven Things (Paulus Aegineta)
Powder for Gout of the Duke of Portland

Cautions:


Generally Safe.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water, Extract of the Juice, Salt of the Ashes