[1][2] Gentian root has a long history of use as an herbal bitter and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines.

Caution should be exercised as to its use because it is endangered,[citation needed] and the closely related Centaurium erythraea shares many of its constituents and actions.

[citation needed] The name is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who was thought[3] to have found out that the herb had tonic properties.

[4][5] Extracts of gentian root can be found in the American soft drink Moxie, and its unique flavor is attributed to that fact.

[6] The bitter principles of gentian root are secoiridoid glycosides amarogentin and gentiopicrin.