Infusum Gentianae Compositum. Br. Compound Infusion of Gentian.

Botanical name: 

Related entries: Gentian

Tisane de Gentiane composee, Fr.; Enzianaufguss, G.

"Gentian Root, thinly sliced, 12.5 grammes; Dried Bitter-Orange Peel, cut small, 12.5 grammes; Lemon Peel, cut small, 25.0 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000.0 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while hot." Br.

The National Formulary IV introduced compound infusion of gentian which differs very slightly from that official in the U. S. P. 1870. (See N.F., Part III.)

It has been the custom with some physicians to prescribe a concentrated infusion made with one-fourth the quantity of menstruum directed by the formula of U. S. P. 1870. This permits the use of a valuable tonic with the presence of but a trifling amount of alcohol. This concentrated preparation keeps well, and it may be diluted with the right quantity of the proper menstruum by the pharmacist to make the infusion of U. S. P. 1870. The use of the alcohol is to assist in dissolving the bitter principle, and at the same time to contribute towards the preservation of the infusion, which, without this addition, is very prone to spoil. The alcohol has, however, been abandoned by the British Pharmacopoeia, and lemon peel substituted.

Dose, one fluidounce (30 mils), repeated three or four times a day.


The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.