Centaury
Centaurium erythraea
T Traditional useCentaury herb tea is traditionally used for mild indigestion and temporary loss of appetite; do not confuse it with St John's wort.
Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim
On this page
At a glance
The EMA classes the aerial parts of Centaurium erythraea as a traditional herbal medicine for mild indigestion and temporary loss of appetite. This bitter herb is not the same as St John's wort (Hypericum), which is known for drug interactions; in Turkish both can be called 'kantaron'.
Updated: October 15, 2026
✓ This herb record is backed by official European Medicines Agency (EMA HMPC) herbal monographs.
What is it used for?
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Based on at least 30 years of documented traditional use rather than clinical trials.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Traditionally used for mild indigestion and stomach complaints and for temporary loss of appetite. [1]
How is it used?
Tea
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1–4 g of chopped dried herb.
Amount: Up to 4 times daily
Duration limit: See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks
[1]Safety & interactions
Minimum age: 18 years
- Do not use with a stomach ulcer.
- St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a different plant.
- Not recommended under 18. Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety has not been shown.
Drug interactions
No recorded interactions
Side effects
- None known according to the monograph; report any unexpected effect to a doctor
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Did you know?
Centaury stimulates appetite through bitterness; despite sharing a Turkish name with St John's wort, it is a different plant. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is centaury the same as St John's wort?
No. Centaury is Centaurium erythraea; St John's wort is Hypericum perforatum, which has serious drug interactions.
Does centaury improve appetite?
The EMA accepts centaury as a traditional remedy for temporary loss of appetite.
How do I make centaury tea?
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1–4 g of chopped herb; drink up to 4 times a day.
Who should not use it?
People with a stomach ulcer, under-18s, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Sources
Cite This Page
Centaury (Centaurium erythraea). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/centaury/
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