Historically, Centaury has been used as a herbal medicine to kill worms, treat dropsy, as a sedative, to treat snakebite and other wounds, and topically for freckles and spots. This bitter herb enhances production of gastric secretions, which in turn stimulates appetite and improves digestion. As such, it is reputed for treating gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating, dyspepsia, flatulence and anorexia. Centaury is said to act on the liver and kidneys to "purify the blood", and also known to treat jaundice. Centaury was traditionally used to treat fever, hence the name "feverwort".