Centaury (bitter clover, bitterbloom, centaurium umbellatum, Christ's ladder, erythraea centaurium, feverwort, wild succory)

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