Most plants of the family Gentianaceae are native to the Alps and mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkans They grow between 700 and 2400 m altitude. Yellow gentian is grown from seedlings or by division its fleshy and robust roots. Victim of its success, the wild species is threatened with extinction, it is protected in some countries.

The queen of the meadow has its origins in Europe. For centuries, it aromatic and decorative virtues. It is thus added uses primarily its this plant to wines, meads, beers. The druids I used to treat and considered sacred, it was supposed to bring good luck and it is found in bridal bouquets of the Middle Ages. Melliferous plant, it was then called bee plant. It was used until the sixteenth century as ornament or aroma and medicinal plant by the healers of the time.

The Cymbopogon citratus is improperly called citronella, like C nardus, which is another variety grown in India, but both plants have the same indications. The leaves are widely used in decoction as a refreshing and digestive drink. On the other hand, the decoction of leaves and roots is widely used as a febrifuge in Africa, but one prefers another species Cymbopogon giganteus.