Gentianella alborosea
Gentianella alborosea is a species of plant in the family Gentianaceae. 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.[1] 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 | |
Traditional use
The 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:[2]
- digestive
- treatment of hepatitis
- treatment of varicose veins
- reduction of blood cholesterol
- treatment of hypertension
Chemical constituents
The 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
- 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"