Large perennial herb with a long very thick and yellowish-brown root and a pair of leaves opposite to each other at each node; the lowest leaves have stalks around them.

Stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, promotes or stimulates the flow of bile and reduces fever.

An uncrystallizable sugar, gentiopicrin, gentiin, gentiamarin (latter three are glucosides), pectin and a small amount of volatile oil.

As a bitter tonic, stimulating and strengthening the gastrointestinal tract and other areas of the body, in debility, gout, cancer, ague, catarrhal gastritis, indigestion, heartburn, fainting, jaundice, podagra, stomachache, vomiting and wounds.

Bentley and Trimen, Medicinal Plants.