Healthy Habits: Digestive Bitters

Plant and herbal bitters have been used for centuries to help with digestion. They can be taken before meals to prepare the body for digestion by encouraging the production of digestive juices.

How It Works

When receptors on the tongue meet with bitter flavors, it kick-starts the digestive tract by encouraging the production of digestive enzymes and other gastric juices, as well as bile in the stomach.

Better digestion means less bloating and other uncomfortable conditions, as well as better absorption of the nutrients from the foods you eat. https://cindissacredgarden-com.3dcartstores.com/digestive-bitters

What Are Digestive Bitters?

What are some of these bitter plants and herbs that boost your gut health? They are, essentially, those that have a bitter flavor.

Here’s a list of some: milk thistle, yarrow, dandelion, bitter melon, goldenseal, gentian, valerian root, chamomile, yellow dock, citrus peel (the pith and rind of limes, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, etc.), common sorrel, wormwood, black walnut leaf, barberry, cacao, chicory, artichoke leaf, neem, blessed thistle, licorice root, sarsaparilla, centaury, buckbean, black feverfew, Oregon grape root, wild cherry bark and coffee.

Here are some of the other health perks you can receive from bitters: boosts the immune system, helps balance blood sugar levels, relieves nausea, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, eases stress, relieves heartburn & stomach aches and helps with eliminating sugar cravings.

Different Plants For Different Ailments!

As you research the different bitter plants and herbs, you can choose specific ones that cater to your individual needs. For instance, you would want to select less potent bitters such as chamomile when treating children for indigestion. Also, when pairing a bitter with an aromatic, you can receive added benefits – such as with aromatics like turmeric that alleviate inflammation, and ginger which improves blood circulation.

A cup of tea can be made with a small amount of organic licorice root powder and/or valerian root powder and sipped before a meal.

Add a handful of organic chamomile flowers, a teaspoon of organic stinging nettle and a drop of organic, pure therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil, or a couple of fresh or dried peppermint leaves. You can also add a teaspoon of raw, local honey.

If you choose to purchase a tea, capsule, tincture or extract of a single bitter herb or a combination of bitter and aromatic herbs, do your research and/or check with your doctor first to make sure all of the ingredients are safe for you to take, especially if you are taking pharmaceuticals. There can be negative interactions between synthetics and natural medicines.

Tincture Recipe

Here is a recipe for a digestive tincture you can make at home that includes bitters and aromatics: place a few pieces of dried citrus peels (orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit), a couple of cinnamon sticks, a handful of star of anise, some whole cloves, a teaspoon of organic black pepper and fresh chopped ginger root into a large mason jar.

Make sure the jar is filled to around two thirds full and then pour organic apple cider vinegar over them and fill to the top. Place a non-metal lid on top of the jar and secure tightly. Gently shake to mix, and at least once a day, give it a gentle shake. Let sit for 4-6 weeks. Strain into a jar and take up to a half teaspoon twice a day. You can also place into a dropper bottle and put a few drops over the tongue before a meal.

Be Well and God Bless You.

By Jennifer Wimmer