Centaury Herb: The Bitter Plant of European Herbal Traditions
Centaury looks like a delicate meadow flower, with small pinkish stars on slender stems. Taste it and you meet one of the most bitter plants of Europe. That contrast between a gentle look and a fierce flavour is part of why centaury has held its place in herbal lore for so long.
A small pink wildflower
Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) is an upright biennial herb that can reach about 50 cm. It grows from a small basal rosette and sends up a leafy stem that may branch, with triangular leaves arranged in pairs. The flowers are small, about 1 cm across, pinkish-lavender and flat-faced, with yellow anthers, and appear from June to September. It is widespread across Europe, including Scotland, Sweden and the Mediterranean, and occurs in western Asia and northern Africa. It has also naturalised in parts of North America, New Zealand and eastern Australia. It belongs to the gentian family, famous for its bitterness.
An old name for it was gall of the earth.
The centaur's plant
The name comes from Greek mythology. Chiron, the wise and just centaur who taught heroes such as Achilles and Heracles, was accidentally wounded by an arrow poisoned with the blood of the Hydra. The plant was first called "Chironia" after him, and later centaury. The species name erythraea comes from the Greek eruthrós, "red", although the flowers are bright pink.
Why is it so bitter?
Centaury contains secoiridoid glycosides, among them swertiamarin and sweroside, along with phenolic acids and sterols. The plant tastes extremely bitter, and an old name for it was "gall of the earth", fel terrae. Other old names include feverwort, felwort and gentian.
Centaury in old herbals
Centaury turns up in old European writing. Anglo-Saxon sources mention it for fevers, and in the 11th century Macer Floridus described it as a charm against "wykked sperytis". The 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper called it "very wholesome, but not very toothsome". It is still used as a bitter, a plant-based drink prepared for its bitterness. We mention these traditions as history.
Enjoying centaury
Centaury is traditionally prepared as a tisane, an herbal infusion, and its bitterness is a big part of its character. It is one of the classic bitter botanicals, and it still appears in bitters and blends. Store the dried herb in a closed container away from light.
How to use
- Amount: 1 teaspoon
- Water: 250 ml boiling water
- Steep: 10 minutes
Pour freshly boiled water over the herb, cover, steep and strain. Centaury is very bitter, which is exactly its character.
Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, by children under 12, or by people with stomach problems or high stomach acidity.
Did you know?
In Greek myth the wise centaur Chiron gave his name to the plant, which was first called Chironia.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Centaurium erythraea
- Wikipedia: Centaurium (genus, gentian family, Chiron)
- Flowerology: Common Centaury
The information in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Herbal products are not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal product.