The swertia belongs in gentianaceae . lt has about 154 species in the world , 79 species in china , about 35 species to be used for medicine , 20 species of medicinal plants can be found in sichuan and hubei provinces . , which are used for medicine in dried herbs . their main functions are to clear heat , detoxify toxin , clear liver , eliminate dampness and normalize the gallbladder , for the treatment of jaundice , blood urination , hot and painful strangury etc . in the traditional medicine of india and japan , it is used as drugs bitter in taste to strengthen the stomach . the modern pharmacological studies show they have many biological activities . some drugs have been registered in the drug standards of the nation and the local government . the medicinal resources produced in sichuan and hubei provinces are abundant , which account for over half of the whole country . therefore , it is necessary to investigate the botanic origin and research the macroscopic , microscopic and chemical characteristics of them . its objective is to establish and improve the quality evaluation system in order to guide the exploitation and utilization for swertia medicinal plants 獐牙菜属( swertia )是龙胆科中的一个大属，全世界约有154种，中国分布的有79种，有药用记载的约35种，其中川鄂产药用种类约20种，均以全草入药，常具有清热解毒，清肝除湿利胆之功效，主要用于黄疸尿赤、热淋涩痛等症；在印度和日本传统医学作为苦味健胃药使用。现代药理学研究表明具有多种药理作用。有的品种在国家和地方药物标准中已有收载。
