See text Gentiana (/ˌdʒɛntʃiˈeɪnə/)[2] is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae.

[3] The genus name is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who may have discovered tonic properties in gentians.

[4] This is a cosmopolitan genus, occurring in alpine habitats in temperate regions of Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Gentian has had limited use in perfumery, most notably as a glycerine soap (Crabtree & Evelyn) and a perfume (Corday's Possession, 1937).

Great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is used in herbal medicine for digestive problems, fever, hypertension, muscle spasms, parasitic worms, wounds, cancer, sinusitis, and malaria,[11] although studies have shown minimal efficacy beyond that of a placebo with regard to the treatment of anxiety and ADHD in children.

[12][13][14] Gentian has been shown to manage dyspepsia by eliciting cephalic responses that increase vascular resistance and reduce the workload of the heart during digestion.

[15] Gentiana punctata leaves and roots have been used in traditional Austrian medicine internally and externally as liqueur or tea for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, locomotor system, liver, and bile, and for pediatric problems, fever, flu, rheumatism, and gout.

All require similar conditions – moist, rich, free-draining soil with an acid to neutral pH.

They include:[3] In addition, the following cultivars, of mixed or uncertain parentage, have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[19]