What Are Bitters and How Do They Work?
Bitters are precisely what the name suggests. They're plants (herbs and foods) that are bitter/sour yet highly vital to the digestive system, detoxification, and elimination of toxins. They have substantial effects on the body's toning and functioning, and their strength is in their bitter taste.
Different regions of the tongue respond to the four basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter – and they all trigger a sensory response in the mouth. The sensation of bitterness triggers a reaction to the nervous system, sending a message to the gut, triggering the release of the digestive hormone gastrin — encouraging the stomach to break down proteins swallowed as food and absorb specific vitamins. Bitters are valuable to the functions of the digestive system in the ways they stimulate digestive and liver secretions and absorption.
Among the many actions of bitters, they:
Stimulate appetite
Help the gut wall repair damage
Aid the liver in detoxification work and increase the flow of bile
Stimulate the release of digestive juices from the pancreas, duodenum, and liver
Aid the liver in detoxification work and increase the flow of bile
Help regulate the secretion of pancreatic hormones that regulate blood sugar, insulin, and glucagon
Bitters have affinities (likeliness) to different body systems outside of digestive activity (pancreas and liver), and their assistance varies. For instance, anything that helps digestion and eases flatulence (gas) will take pressure off the heart, making it valuable to the cardiovascular system. Anything that helps with digestion and the assimilation of food will benefit the musculoskeletal system. Bitters support the nervous system in acute anxiety and depression by stimulating healthy processes. The benefits/actions of bitters are endless. Some even have expectorant (respiratory support) actions that help remedy chest problems.
They are most effective in tincture or infusion (tea) form. For bitters to be effective, they need to trigger your tastebuds, or else the actions of the plant may be lost or diminished. Most herbalists leave powder residue on pills and tablets due to this fact. If an herb is too bitter, you may want to add a pinch of sweetener (preferably local honey or inositol), but remember that bitter is good for you.
A few honorable herbal bitters:
Dandelion
Yarrow
Wormwood
Gentian
Goldenseal
Yellow Dock
Angelica
Horehound
There are several contraindications to the use of bitters. Do not use them in the following conditions (this list is not conclusive):
Pregnancy (in most cases)
Kidney Stones
Gallbladder disease
Gastritis
Peptic ulcer
Hiatal hernia
I hope this was helpful. However, I am not a doctor and I always suggest checking with your healthcare provider before trying new remedies and supplements.