Gentian (Gentiana lutea), is a flowering plant with intense blue trumpet shaped flowers. The plant grows in many temperate regions in the world, including the US, Europe and Asia. The genus name Gentiana, may have evolved as a recognition to the Illyrian Kind, Gentius, who promoted the concept of the bitter tonic properties of gentian. Gentian has been used as a an addition to many popular drinks as a tonic and liqueur, including the soft drink, Moxie (US), Aperol ( Italy) and Underberg (Germany).

Gentian root has a very long history of traditional use as a bitter principle to support digestive and liver health* in many traditions, including ancient Ayurveda from India, TCM and European folklore, to name a few. The main components of the root extract that imparts its distinctive bitter flavor are gentiopicrin, gentiopicroside and amarogentin which have been shown to bind to the bitter taste receptors.

Gentian root extract should not be confused with Gentian Violet, which is a topical skin applicant made from hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride.