The healing qualities of centaury were first recognized a long time ago.
The herb has been used for medical purposes throughout history.
Hippocrates, Theophrastus, Avicenna and other outstanding figures in the history of mankind evaluated the healing properties of the herb and used it when dealing with various health problems, including, digestive disorders, intestinal worms, jungle fever, anemia, and diseases of gallbladder, liver, kidneys, lungs and other organs.
Common centaury is an annual herb with a stem growing to a height of 10-45 centimeters.
It has few blossoms, which open only in dry and sunny weather.
The blossoms are rosy and can be seen from July till September.
Fruit is a capsule with a lot of seeds.

1. Centaury tops contain bitter glycosides, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, mucilaginous substances, alkaloid gencianin, a bit of essential oil with bactericidal action, oleanolic acid, resin substances, mineral substances, for instance, micro element selenium, zinc, copper and etc, and other biologically active substances.
   
2. The herb has anthelmintic action.
   In addition, it is proven to improve digestion and stimulate appetite.
   
3. Centaury remedies are used to prevent digestive disorders, stimulate appetite and improve bile secretion - especially, in children with low liver or stomach function.
   These remedies are proven to be of great help when dealing with various intestinal worms.
   You should make a decoction, infusion, compound tea, liquid extract and etc.
   There are various guidelines on how to make these remedies.
   However, one of the most commonly used remedies is made by infusing a teaspoon or 2-4 grams of the herb with a glass of water.
   If the decoction or infusion is more concentrated, you should take 1-2 tablespoons of it 3 times a day half an hour before meal.
   You can take 1-2 grams of a powder made of the tops at once by washing it down with a glass of water.
   
4. Some nations use the herb in case of liver diseases, anemia, renal diseases, jungle fever, lung diseases, alcoholism, diseases of gallbladder and even heart diseases.
   The herb can be used to deal with gastritis with increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, catarrh of the stomach, meteorism, constipation, fever caused by poor digestion and diabetes.
   In addition, the herb is proven to be of great help in case of necessity for bitter substances to tone up digestion.
   Common centaury is a great remedy to strengthen your body and purify blood in case of skin diseases.