Centaury (bitter clover, bitterbloom, centaurium umbellatum, Christ's ladder, erythraea centaurium, feverwort, wild succory)
Classes: Gastrointestinal, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Bitter clover, bitterbloom (centaury)
Tea
Steep 2-4 g in 150 mL boiling water
1 cup of tea PO TId
Crushed Herb
2-4 g PO TId
Average daily dose 6 g/day
Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol
2-4 mL PO TId
Suggested uses of Bitter clover, bitterbloom (centaury)
Appetite loss, fever, high blood pressure, kidney stones, diabetes, dyspepsia, worms, snake bite, jaundice, freckles and spots
Efficacy
Insufficient reliable information. More studies needed
Bitter clover, bitterbloom (centaury) adverse (side) effects
None reported
Warnings
Peptic ulcer
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: consult physician
Lactation: consult physician
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Bitter clover, bitterbloom (centaury)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Stimulates production of saliva & gastric juices