Things to Know About Bitters

Dates as far back as ancient Egypt

In nature animals intuitively eat bitter plants when needed

Many bitter herbs are classified as a tonic

Bitters can influence all stages of digestion (Cephalic, gastric, intestinal)

Stimulates HCL production and increases digestive enzymes = helps break down foods/nutrients

Stimulates Insulin and glucagon secretions = helps normalize Blood sugar levels

Generally:

Combine cool bitter herbs & warm bitter herbs (or spicy herbs) to create a digestive bitters formula that may be taken daily

If it doesn’t taste bitter it isn’t going to work!

Used for:

Indigestion, flatulence, bloating, nausea, borborygmi, intestinal cramps

Low HCL (contributes to Gerd, IBS, Sibo, rosacea)

Constipation, diarrhea, slow transit time (how long it takes for food to be eliminated: appropriate = 18-24 hours)

Loss of appetite, malnutrition, malabsorption including poor fat and protein digestion, food allergies

Weakness due to viral or bacterial infections

Excessive sweet cravings (which may actually mask a craving for bitter)

Depression, mood disorders

Digestive weakening due to aging, low vital energy

Anemia

Avoid = Children under 5, acute GI inflammation/irritation, excessive stomach acid

Use w/caution = advisement of Dr and/or trained herbalist = Pregnancy

Cool bitter herbs for digestion

Dandelion root

Chicory

Artichoke

Chamomile

Horehound

Blessed thistle

Gentian

Hops

Bitter orange peel

White poplar bark

Warm bitter herbs for digestion

Turmeric

Angelica root (archangelica)

Fenugreek

Aged tangerine peel

Mugwort

Warming herbs for digestion

Cardamom

Ginger

Clove

Anise seed

Fennel seed

Prickly ash

Bayberry bark

Yarrow = neutral

Recipies

Rosemary Gladstar

2 parts fennel

1 part artichoke leaf

1 part dandelion root

1 part (organically cultivated) gentian

½ part ginger

Michael and Lesley Tierra

The Tierra’s suggest making tea, drinking ¼ cup prior to meals. Here are directions on how to make a decoction from Mountain Rose Herbs:

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infusions-and-decoctions

2 parts white poplar bark

2 parts (organically cultivated) gentian root

1 part bayberry bark

1 part ginger

½ part clove buds

David Winston

1 part dandelion root

1 part orange peel

1 part angelica archangelica

1 part artichoke

Rosemary’s folk method can be used for all the recipes

Combine the herbs and make a tincture. Here we are using 80-100 proof alcohol as the extractant. Use fresh or dried herbs

Place finely chopped herbs in a clean dry jar.
Pour enough of the menstruum to cover the herbs, and continue pouring until the liquid rises 2 or 3 inches above the herbs. The herbs need to be completely submerged. Cover with a tight-fitting lid use wax paper to avoid alcohol coming in contact with a metal lid.
Place the jar in a warm location and let herbs and liquid soak (macerate) for 4-6 weeks.
Shake the bottle daily during the maceration period.
Strain the herbs from the menstruum with a fine steel mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth reserving the liquid. Store liquid in a glass bottle(s) in a dark location.

I suggest keeping a 2 oz tincture bottle full of your bitters in the kitchen. Take 10-15 minutes before a meal. David Winston suggests 15-30 drops in a small amount of juice or water, swish around your mouth for a bit and swallow.

One of the most frequent requests for help I get from clients is related to poor digestion. I always ask clients about their elimination habits and even what it looks like. Although it may not be a comfortable topic for some folks to discuss it's totally fascinating if you know what it means.

Take a moment after elimination and look at your stools - yes, take a look at your stools! What you see can tell you a lot about what is going on with your digestion and which organ(s) needs some love.

Here's a quick 1 - 2 on what normal is:

1. A normal bowel movement is 1-2x per day - I personally think if you eat a heavy plant-based diet and ingest a lot of fiber from vegetables and legumes and you eliminate 3x per day - this can be totally normal depending on other signs.

2. The normal stool is well-formed, not loose, not too dry, and floating.

5 things to notice:

Small round pellets that are hard: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this usually indicates that your Liver Qi (energy) is stagnant. You probably have other symptoms such as a bloated feeling in your rib area, rumblings in the belly (that aren't hunger pains), or maybe it feels like you have a stuck piece of meat in your throat that makes it difficult to swallow, especially when you are stressed out. Quite likely you are stressed out! If those same small round pellet-like stools are also dry, it's a good sign you also have some heat in excess so perhaps you have a tendency to blow your top and have an occasional outburst?

Food in your stools: For some reason, some people seem to think it's normal to see undigested corn in their stools. I do not, it's food it should digest! What this means is that your Spleen isn't functioning optimally. One of the Spleens most important functions is that of transporting and transforming food and fluids. Some other signs of a weakened Spleen would be fatigue, muscle weakness, craving sweets, and loose stools.

Loose stools: we just saw above that loose stools are an indication of a weakened Spleen. It can also be an indication of a weakness of the Kidneys depending on other symptoms. If you have loose stools that leave marks on the sides of the toilet or you notice some mucus in your stool this can indicate Dampness.

Odor to stools: Yes, everyone's eliminations have an odor, it is odd or excessive odors that we are smelling for. What you smell will determine which organ is out of balance.

Color of stools: Light brown is considered normal. Other colors that might be noticed include pale or dark yellow, pale, dark, very dark or even black, red, green, or greenish-blue. These colors can indicate heat, cold, Blood stasis, Rebellious Qi or a combination. The organs that are affected include the Spleen, Large Intestine, or the Liver.

Make an appointment with me if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I will work with you to help you find relief. I am offering free consults while I am completing my 400 hours of clinical training. Contact me for more information.