Although Centaury has been judged worthwhile only for poor appetite, it also has some effect against fever and is used for this purpose in homeopathic medicine. It is also cultivated in the United States. The medicinal parts of Centaury are the dried flowers, which grow purple to pink-red and occasionally white. A diminutive annual, the plant generally reaches a height of less than a foot.
Centaury works by stimulating production of saliva and digestive juices.
It also has some effect on inflammation and fever. In medieval times it was recommended for snake bite and poisoning. Its name stems from Greek mythology, in which the centaur, Chiron, was said to have cured his wounds with the plant. Because Centaury tends to increase stomach acids, you should avoid it if you have an ulcer. At customary dosage levels, Centaury poses no particular risks.