Herbal bitters

I talk about herbal bitters in my practice a lot. I use them daily myself. I recommend them in the dispensary all the time. I prescribe them to many of my clients. I LOVE THEM. So let me give you a little insight into what makes them so special.

Bitter herbs stimulate the bitter receptors in the taste buds at the back of the tongue. Many cultures recognise the value of bitter flavours in promoting digestive function and general health. In Holland older people would celebrate the ‘bitter hour’ in the early evening by taking bitter food, to support their fading digestive powers. In India it is thought those with liver conditions seek out bitter flavours. In Africa the medicinal value of bitter tasting herbs is celebrated in many traditional medical systems for their impact on digestive health. Bitter drinks taken before meals are called aperitifs.

Tasting a bitter substance before eating a meal increases vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve performs a myriad of roles in the body, not least of which are balancing the nervous system between parasympathetic and sympathetic and delivering information from the gut to the brain.

In the instance of taking a small dose of herbal bitters before consuming a meal, the vagus nerve being stimulated will increase saliva secretions, gastric acid secretion, increase gastrin and pepsin, increase bile production in the liver and release from the gallbladder into the intestines, and prime the pancreas for enzyme secretion. This gives your body the opportunity to receive your meal with every stage of digestion ready.

Herbal bitters are taken in small doses, with a little water, fifteen minutes before a meal. Something so simple will be enough to engage the vagus nerve and prime the digestive tract for optimum digestion and absorption of your food and really nourish your body.