Gentiana, especially the species gentiana macrophylla (Large Leaf Gentian), is also known as Qin Jiao in Pinyin. As one of important Chinese herbs, it was recorded and rated as a medium-grade drug in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (God of Agriculture's Canon of Materia Medica) due to somewhat toxic. The main medicinal part of gentiana is the root (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), which is one of the essential ingredients of many rheumatoid arthritis treatment options in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, clinically it is also widely used for the treatment of joint pain, Tuberculosis, hot flashes, jaundice, and so on. Because of its extensive medicinal uses, in recent years the wild resources of gentian plant have declined to the point of being endangered due to indiscriminate exploitation.

Actually gentiana doesn't refer to a certain species but a large genus in the gentian family (Gentianaceae). This genus has about 400 flowering plants, in which the most common species are Gentiana lutea (great yellow gentian), Gentiana andrewsii (closed bottle gentian), Gentiana acaulis (stemless gentian), and more. These alpine plants are characterized by large strong-blue flowers that are something like a trumpet.

However, medicinally it mainly refers to the dried root of Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., or Gentiana dahurica Fisch. What's more, other species used medicinally also include Gentiana tianschanica Rupr. ex Kusn, Gentiana tibetica King ex Hook. f., Gentiana kaufmanniana var. kaufmanniana, Gentiana siphonantha Maximowicz ex Kusnezow, and Gentiana decumbens L. f. By the way, make sure to tell it from gentian root, which usually means another Chinese herb – Long Dan Cao.

GENTIANA HEALTH BENEFITS 
As mentioned previously, gentiana is one vital ingredient in many medications for rheumatoid arthritis pain, such as Du Huo Ji Shang Tang, Da Qin Jiao Tang, and more. And clinical studies indicated that 100 injections, composed of procaine and gentiana 100g or gentiana 50g and Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), were ever used for over 2000 person-time, 2ml each by intramuscular administration. And the result showed that it could help chronic leg and back pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and whole body joint pain caused by wind-cold. And in another study, the injection made of total alkaloids of gentiana, 100mg total alkaloids (gentianine) each 2ml, was used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. And the result showed that it has significant effects on easing pain, reducing swelling, and relieving fever, and restoring joint function.

Gentiana

GENTIANA FORMULAS ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
Chinese pharmacopoeia believes that it is acrid and bitter in flavor and neutral in nature. It goes to meridians of stomach, liver, and gall bladder. Common functions are removing wind-damp, clearing damp-heat, and stopping arthralgia. Main gentiana uses and indication include rheumatoid arthritis pain, tendon spasm, joint pain, afternoon tidal fever, and infantile malnutrition fever. Recommended dosage is from 3 to 9 grams.

1. Qin Jiao Tian Ma Tang from Yi Xue Xin Wu (Medical Revelations). It is formulated with Tian Ma (Gastrodia Root), Qian Huo (Notopterygium), Dang Gui (Dong Quai), Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage Root), etc. to treat wind-cold-wetness type of arthralgia.

2. Qin Jiao Sheng Ma Tang from Wei Sheng Bao Jian (Precious Mirror for Defending Life). It is combined with Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh Rhizome), Ge Gen (Kudzu Root), Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Shao Yao (Peony Root), etc. to treat stroke, including symptoms like eye or mouth drooping on one side, language deficits (aphasia), chills, and so on.

3. Qin Jiao Fu Lei Tang from Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang (Yang Family Depository of Formulas). It is matched with Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bie Jia (Soft Turtle Shell), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), etc. to cure the consumptive lung disease, hectic fever due to yin deficiency, and consumptive cough.