Gentianella alborosea

Gentianella alborosea is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae.^[2][3] It is one of two types of hercampuri, which is traditionally used in herbal medicine as an infusion, the other type of hercampuri being Gentianella nitida.^[4] It has been used in Peruvian folk medicine since before the time of the Incas. These small shrubs are native to the high Andes of Peru. The Junin Province is a region of Peru that grows hercampuri.

Gentianella alborosea
Gentianella alborosea
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Gentianaceae
Genus:	Gentianella
Species:	G. alborosea
Binomial name
Gentianella alborosea (Gilg) Fabris
Synonyms[2]
Gentiana alborosea Gilg

Traditional use

The whole plant is used as an infusion. The roots are thin and yellow in color and the infusion of hercampuri also has a yellow color.

Traditional uses of hercampuri include:^[5]

• digestive
• treatment of hepatitis
• treatment of varicose veins
• reduction of blood cholesterol
• treatment of hypertension

Chemical constituents

The infusion of hercampuri is one of the most bitter flavors of all herbs. The beneficial compounds that give hercampuri its unique taste contribute to the bitterness of the infusion.