Gentian root
Gentian root suppliers and sourcing guide
Gentian root is the dried root and rhizome of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea), a tall perennial of European mountain meadows; supply comes from cultivation and controlled wild collection. The root contains intensely bitter secoiridoid glycosides (gentiopicroside and amarogentin). It is bought cut, powdered or as liquid extracts, mainly for bitters, aperitif drinks and herbal products.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Gentiana lutea · yellow gentian · Gentianae radix · bitterwort
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of gentian root
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cut root
Dried root and rhizome cut for tinctures, bitters and macerations.
Root powder
Milled dried root for capsules and blends.
Liquid extract
Hydroalcoholic extract used in bitters and beverages, sometimes specified by bitterness value.
Dry extract
Extract dried to a powder, sometimes sold on gentiopicroside content by HPLC.
Organic
Root from certified organic cultivation, with the certificate tied to the lot.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity (HPTLC or HPLC)
- Fingerprint to confirm Gentiana lutea and flag other Gentiana species or toxic look-alikes such as Veratrum album root.
- Marker assay (HPLC)
- Gentiopicroside and amarogentin by a named HPLC method, or a bitterness value, where the spec sets one.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
- Physical tests
- Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density and, for extracts, the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvent.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Bitterness and marker content vary with root age, origin and drying, so check each lot's COA against your specification. Record the supplier lot, origin and cultivated or wild status, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.510 lists gentian rhizome and roots (Gentiana lutea L.) among natural flavoring substances permitted in food under that section's conditions.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Gentian natural health product monograph lists the dried root of Gentiana lutea as the source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for gentian root, the root of Gentiana lutea L.
Source: ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Gentian root suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking gentian root suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell gentian root? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of gentian root can brands buy?
Common forms include cut root, root powder, liquid extract, dry extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for gentian root include?
Expect identity (HPTLC or HPLC), marker assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should gentian root be stored?
Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of gentian root?
21 CFR 172.510 lists gentian rhizome and roots (Gentiana lutea L.) among natural flavoring substances permitted in food under that section's conditions. Health Canada's Gentian natural health product monograph lists the dried root of Gentiana lutea as the source material. The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for gentian root, the root of Gentiana lutea L.
More botanicals and mushrooms
- AshwagandhaWithania somnifera · Indian ginseng
- ElderberrySambucus nigra · black elderberry
- Green Tea ExtractCamellia sinensis leaf extract · Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze
- Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus · lion's mane mushroom
- MacaLepidium meyenii · Lepidium peruvianum
- TurmericCurcuma longa · curcumin
- Ginger rootZingiber officinale · ginger rhizome
- GarlicAllium sativum · garlic powder
- EchinaceaEchinacea purpurea · Echinacea angustifolia
- Milk thistleSilybum marianum · silymarin
- Saw palmettoSerenoa repens · Sabal serrulata
- Ginkgo bilobaGinkgo biloba · ginkgo leaf extract
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.