Bitters: What do they do and how do we use them?

If you have been given a formula that contains bitter herbs then you are in luck! This flavor is also an action in herbal medicine and one of the best ways to get your body back in balance. Personally, I find these formulas to be pretty tasty- but I do like the flavor of bitter. Our modern diets (especially in the western world) are generally lacking this flavor to our great detriment. The focus on salty and sweet has trained our palates to react to bitter flavors with disdain which has impaired our digestion and liver health.

to quote herbalist James Green: “It is my opinion that the nearly complete lack of bitter flavored foods in the overall U.S. and Canadian diet is a major contributing factor to common cultural health imbalances such as PMS, other female and male sexual organ dysfunctions, hormonal imbalances, migraine headache, indigestion, liver and gall bladder dysfunction, abnormal metabolism, hypoglycemia, diabetes, etc.”

Here are my top reasons to take bitters:

• Stimulates all digestive secretions: saliva, acids, enzymes, bile, hormones etc. Many folks have inadequate digestive acids and enzyme production. As we age we produce less and less.

• Helps to move body into “rest and digest” or a parasympathetic nervous system state. Bitters are downward moving and grounding/moves from head to gut, makes you feel more present.

• Roots like Dandelion anchor/tone esophageal sphincter to help reduce heartburn.

• Supports liver detoxification through stimulation of hormones that help the gall bladder to contract and phytochemicals that support liver cells directly.

• Can help to balance blood sugar and cholesterol by release of pancreatic enzymes and bile. This also helps the heart and kidneys!

• Increases absorption of nutrients by action of increased digestive efficiency

• Can help improve skin health by supporting liver.

• Helps to train digestive functions to occur at right time preventing heartburn and indigestion.

• Tonifies the digestive system tissues which can help resolve issues like leaky gut, thyroid support, hormonal balance.

• Reduces cravings for sugar, alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

• Consuming bitter foods stimulates the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones, which prevent overeating (also by relaxing NS: we eat more when we are in a rush and hungry) Too much food in one sitting can cause digestive issues.

• Can help release stagnation, anger, frustration, and improve mood (most serotonin is made in the gut, also dopamine, and endorphins)

• This “releasing” energy can move stuck emotional energies held in various organs

• Stimulates appetite, making them useful for eating disorders or illnesses and medications that suppresses desire for food.

• Carminative herb additions like fennel, ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom relieve nausea, gas and bloating.

• Can help when you have eaten things you are sensitive to, like a mild gluten or dairy intolerance.

• Can improve processing and break down of fats.

• Stimulates metabolism.

• Stimulating digestion can help with constipation too! Bile provides lubrication for the intestines, helping to facilitate the passage of digested food. Deficient bile and sluggish liver/gall bladder function can lead to dryness in the intestines, which is often a cause of chronic constipation.

How Do We Use Bitters?

• A few drops up to 1 dropper or roughly ¼ teaspoon is the usual adult dosage. If I gave you a bitters formula I likely included other herbs for a multi-purpose approach. Follow my dosage instructions given.

• 10-30 minutes before eating is best.

• Can be helpful post or mid meal as well, or when you feel you have overdone it.

• Best directly on tongue or in a small shot of water. Bitters require you to taste them to work! Bitter taste receptors in the mouth and stomach start the enzymatic cascade.

• Using too much can actually weaken digestion over time because they are so cooling and drying. We want to keep up our digestive fire and juiciness, so don’t overdo it!

• At the moment of sugar craving/ stress eating/ liver heat symptoms/ acute irritation.

• Bitter foods are a gentle way to support. For example: the tradition of eating salad of greens before or after meals found in many cultures.

• You can make bitters formulas from things found in a grocery store too! I love the combo of coffee beans, cacao, and cardamom and/or cinnamon. Watch my video to learn how: DIY Grocery Store Bitters