Bitters

What Are Digestive Bitters?

The digestive process is complex and involves multiple organs that work together to transform the food and beverages we consume and extract the nutrients our bodies need to function optimally. Unfortunately, many factors can affect the efficacy of our digestive process. They can, among other things, reduce our production of gastric acid, bile, and enzymes, making it difficult to digest foods and compromising our ability to absorb nutrients. Acid-blocking medications, liver and gallbladder disorders, and aging are just a few factors that can compromise our digestion. Thankfully, there are supplements known as digestive bitters.

Digestive bitters (also frequently called Swedish bitters) are synergistic herbal infusions made from extracts of bitter plants' leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, and roots. These blends have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dating back to the 15th century.

These plants stimulate and support digestion because bitter flavours have profound stimulatory effects on digestive secretions. More concretely, bitters promote the natural release of gastric acid, digestive enzymes, and bile to help the body effectively break down food inside the stomach. This helps alleviate symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, gas, cramping, and bloating and promotes healthy, regular bowel movements.

Benefits of Digestive Bitters

• Improves Nutrient Absorption
• Promotes Bile Flow & Liver Detox
• Relieves Heartburn, Nausea, And Feeling Of Fullness In The Stomach
• Supports Healthy Digestion
• Stimulates Gastric Juices & Digestive Enzymes

Herbs Typically Found In These Formulas:

The following is a list of bitter herbs that support the digestive process.

• Aloe Vera Leaf
• Angelica Root
• Artichoke Leaf
• Bitter Fennel Seed
• Bitter Orange Peel
• Blessed Thistle Aerial Parts
• Buckbean Leaf
• Camphor
• Cardamom Seed
• Carline Thistle Root
• Chamomile Flower
• Dandelion Leaf
• Gentian Root
• Ginger Rhizome
• Licorice root
• Manna
• Myrrh
• Rhubarb Root
• Saffron
• Senna Leaf
• Theriac Venetian
• Turmeric Root
• Wormwood
• Yarrow 

Who Needs Bitters?

Digestive bitters are an effective way to stimulate digestion, treat a range of stomach ailments, and offer potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Bitters are ideal for those who suffer from indigestion, bloating, gas, cramping, nausea, heartburn, stomach aches, and irregular bowel movements. Individuals with low stomach acidity, commonly seen in aging, and those with a sluggish liver, liver disease, or following a detox program, would also be great candidates for digestive bitters. 

Digestive Bitters Supplements

Digestive bitters usually come as liquid tonics, drop-form tinctures, or sprays that can be consumed on their own or mixed into other beverages if you dislike the flavour. The potency and dosing will vary depending on the product in question, but generally speaking, you’d place a few drops/spray/capful onto your tongue about 15-60 minutes before a meal. This gives you ample time to prime your digestive system appropriately before eating. Always follow label instructions. 

Digestive Bitters To Try

There are a lot of different bitters you can try on the market, each with its distinct blend of herbs. Always look for 100% certified organic formulas. Some of the most well-known and popular bitters include:  

• Botanica Digestive Bitters Liquid Herb
• Flora Swedish Bitters Liquid
• Flora Swedish Bitters Maria's Original Formula Liquid
• Garden of Life, MyKind Organics, Liver Bitters Detox Spray
• Salus Gallaxier Digestive Bitters Liquid
• Francis Herb Farm Canadian Bitters Tincture