What Are the Health Benefits of Gentian Root Tea?

Appetite Stimulant

• Gentian root tea is most commonly used to stimulate a suppressed appetite. According to the British Pharmaceutical Codex of 1911, gentian encourages the flow of gastric juices, bile and saliva. The herb may be found useful by people suffering from anorexia and other conditions that make eating difficult.

  In addition to making food more appetizing, this bitter infusion alleviates indigestion, flatulence and gastrointestinal bloating, according to Ben-Erik Van Wyk in his book "Medicinal Plants of the World."

Roborant

• Gentian root tea is also considered a roborant, a substance that increases bodily strength and vitality. It may be consumed by people seeking to recover their vigor after a long and exhausting illness.

Anti-Inflammatory

• Gentian root may reduce inflammation and swelling, such as that associated with arthritis. The website Drugs.com reports a study done by Mathew A. Taranalli, in which gentian root extract was shown to have measurable anti-inflammatory effect in animals.