Tibetan Gentian

Qin Jiao, Yellow Gentian. Another rare specimen from the Himalayas of Tibet and Western China. This hardy perennial has an attractive rosette of fleshy, slightly variegated leaves. The unusual tubular flowers, bluish or light greenish white in color, form at the top of a bare stem reaching 2 feet or so in full bloom. The Tibetan Gentian has been used historically in Chinese medicine as well as Tibetan and Ayurvedic formulas. Gentian is a bitter herb commonly taken as a tea from the dried leaves to improve digestive and liver function. In TCM, it has been utilized in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and as a nervine in small doses. This extremely hardy and rare Gentian is easier than other types to grow in a garden setting. It prefers partial shade in very hot summer areas and enjoys a moist soil. Perennial. Zones 3-9.