Uses
The Catawba American Indians were known to use the Elliott's Gentian for medicinal purposes. They would steep the roots in hot water and then use the produced liquid to sooth sore backs. This is not surprising as the European gentian, G. lutea, has been used as a digestive tonic and was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1995 as a gastric stimulant. In fact, the very name of the genus is derived from Gentius, a king of Illyria who recognized the tonic properties of the plant.
Read more about this topic: Gentiana Catesbaei