One medical study, using large amounts of gentian violet in rats, found that it could cause cancer.
When the secretion of gastric juice is deficient it may be excited by gastric tonics, such as ten grains of bicarbonate of soda and a drachm of compound tincture of gentian in water shortly before meals, and may be supplemented by the administration of pepsin and hydrochloric acid after meals.
The bitterness is imparted by such substances as bitter orange rind, gentian, rhubarb, quassia, cascarilla, angostura, quinine and cinchona.
Among the abundant wild flowers, look out for the rare autumn gentian.
The color is a gentian blue; the buds of a deeper hue.