Bitter = a flavor/taste
Bitters = are stimulating tonics for digestion, which work through the tastes buds via the nervous system
Bitter(s) = can be a single herb or food plant
Bitters = an extract/tincture of a multitude of herbs, spices & fruits.
 
Reasons for consuming Herbal Bitters….. *some of list is from (Foundations of Health by Christopher Hobbs)

• Poor fat digestion
• Poor protein digestion
• Weakness due to chronic illness
• Heated/weaken liver from drug & alcohol usage
• Loss of zest for life, lower vital energy
• Painful digestion, intestinal cramps, excessive gas
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Poor appetite
• Anemia, low hematocrit
• Excessive craving for sweets (can be due to poor protein digestion)
• To help with sugar addictions through creating a balanced palate………
• Immune-based disorders where nutritional deficiency is present
• Especially effective for digestive weakness due to mental overwork and lack of exercise (constantly being in the sympathetic response, fight or flight, stressed mode)
• Parasites ……… virus, bacteria, fluke, worm, what is a “parasite”?
• Intestinal Inflammation; inflammation can cause leaky gut (gaps between the cells of the protective lining in the intestines).

 
How do they work……?

• Bitter flavor starts by stimulating our tongue & mouth which starts generating digestive enzymes, amylase (carbohydrates) & lysozyme (kills pathogenic bacteria).
  • Having lots of gas may be solved by simply chewing your food more/better so the amylase gets a chance to mix with the food & breakdown the starches/carbohydrates. This stops them from fermenting in the intestinal tract and causing gas.
    
• Bitters also send a signal to the brain to release the digestive hormone gastrin, which then sets off a chain reaction through the vagus nerve to the digestion system to wake up…….
  • the liver starts to make bile, the gallbladder starts to release bile & stomach acids begin to rise all in anticipation of what’s to come
  • Being in Parasympathetic mode (in an inner focus, calm, caring for self-mode) eases digestion, being in Sympathetic mode (outside focus, being too busy, distracted, angry) hinders digestion.
    
  • Try eating only when you’re relaxed, calm or in a good mood…………………
• Bitters help increase Hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
  • Low acid = poor protein digestion
  • Hydrochloric acid turns pepsinogen into pepsin which is the most important protein digesting enzyme.
  • HCL releases what is known as the “intrinsic factor” a protein that escorts Vit. B12 from the stomach through the small intestine to the ileum (farthest end of small intestine). Vit. B12 is necessary for healthy nerves.
  • HCL dissolves minerals into their ironic form which makes them available to be used & absorbed by the body.
  • HCL also “provides for the release of bicarbonate (HCOS-) which neutralizes the acidity of HCL & which helps the food become chyme (pre-poo! J) as well as release bile for fat digestion & absorption” Karen Lyke
• Bitters help increase Bile flow.
  • Bile is needed for good fat metabolism.
  • Poor fat metabolism = blood sugar instability.
  • Bile helps with utilizing fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E & K.
  • Low bile can lead to increased microbial fermentation in small intestine & overgrowth of Candida & parasites. Fermentation leads to gas production which can cause bloating & cramping. Which can lead to inflammation…
  • Bile helps with the peristaltic action of the intestines which helps move fecal matter through the body.
  • Light colored or whitish stools (poo) can mean little or no bile production

 
How to take, where to find, when to take

• Eat Salad greens; chicory leaves, celery leaves, endive, radicchio, dandelion greens, wild arugula, wild greens
• Food items; Bitter melon, high bush cranberry berries, dandelion flower stems, raw rhubarb, etc.......
• Bitter herbs can be Infused into wine
• Put Bitter Extracts; in juice, water, beverages, tea etc
• Take directly in mouth
• Turn bitter extracts into Cordials
• Take before or after a meal
  
• As needed for upset stomach, slow digestion, gas etc……
• As a full cleanse (ex. I have a 5 – 10 day Gypsy Bitters cleanse)
  
• I use Gypsy bitters as an eye compress or as liniment