Gentianella alborosea is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae.[2][3] It is one of two types of hercampuri, which is traditionally used in herbal medicine as an infusion, the other type of hercampuri being Gentianella nitida.[4] It has been used in Peruvian folk medicine since before the time of the Incas. These small shrubs are native to the high Andes of Peru. The Junin Province is a region of Peru that grows hercampuri.
| Gentianella alborosea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gentianella alborosea | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Gentianella |
| Species: | G. alborosea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gentianella alborosea (Gilg) Fabris
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Traditional use
editThe whole plant is used as an infusion. The roots are thin and yellow in color and the infusion of hercampuri also has a yellow color.
Traditional uses of hercampuri include:[5]
- digestive
- treatment of hepatitis
- treatment of varicose veins
- reduction of blood cholesterol
- treatment of hypertension
Chemical constituents
editThe infusion of hercampuri is one of the most bitter flavors of all herbs. The beneficial compounds that give hercampuri its unique taste contribute to the bitterness of the infusion.
References
edit- ^ Castillo Ramon, S. (2020). "Gentianella alborosea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T133309307A188835152. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T133309307A188835152.en. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Gentianella alborosea (Gilg) Fabris". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gentianella alborosea (Gilg) Fabris". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Nobuo Kawahara; Masato Nozawa; Diana Flores; Pablo Bonilla; Setsuko Sekita; Motoyoshi Satake (2000). "Sesterterpenoid from Gentianella alborosea". Phytochemistry. 53 (8): 881–884. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00518-X. PMID 10820797.
- ^ "The Future of Products of the Andean High Plateau and Central Valley", p. 213 (United Nations, 2006): "Hepatoprotective, depurative, hypoglycemiant, diuretic"
 | This Gentianales-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Medicinal plants-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |