When food doesn’t feel good in the stomach. Bloating, belching – the feeling that food just sits there and doesn’t go down. Or worse, heartburn, GERD – a painful pressure in the chest that can feel like there’s something wrong with your heart. This means the stomach doesn’t have enough digestive juices so food is bubbling up instead of moving down through the digestive tract.
1 dropper of herbal bitters
in plain water or soda water
sipped with your meal
to stop indigestion
The bitter flavor of gentian mixed with a pleasing balance of herbs works to stimulate the whole digestive process, stopping indigestion and supporting vital energy and a healthy gut.
Bitters are herbal extracts used in tiny amounts to improve the flavor of beverages, while helping digestion. I use a variety of herbal bitters, chosen specifically for each client. Alcohol free, extra bitter, on the sweet side or with additional anti-inflammatory herbs.
- Vitanica Bitters Tonic has a mild vanilla flavor (alcohol free)
- Mercola Organic Digestive Bitters has a strong bitter flavor with a hint of orange (alcohol free)
- Gaia Turmeric Bitters is slightly sweet with a brilliant orange color from the anti-inflammatory herb turmeric.
- Wise Woman Bitter Tonic is my favorite – very strong and bitter with a hint of ginger.
- Angostura bitters is the most widely available. You can order this at any cocktail bar in water or soda for digestive support while dining out.
The main herb in all bitter formulas is gentian, which is too strong by itself. The sweeter formulas have anise, fennel, stevia or licorice herbal extracts. The earthy flavor in bitters comes from dandelion, artichoke or turmeric which also help reduce inflammation and support liver health. The warming herbs ginger, cinnamon and orange peel are flavorful and support digestion. Avoid any bitters with the laxative herbs senna or rhubarb.
These flavorful herbal components are blended artistically for you to enjoy.
Herbal bitters work to stimulate digestion so that food is efficiently sterilized in the stomach, broken down in the small intestine and then absorbed in the colon creating vital energy and a healthy gut. Don’t take my word for it. Order Angostura bitters and soda next time you are dining out and notice how good your stomach feels.
Nutrition is not a replacement for medical care.
Please continue to see your primary care provider.
- Don’t use bitters if you are on an acid blocking medication. With your doctors permission we can strengthen digestion enough to remove the acid blocker without discomfort and then use bitters to support digestion.
- Stop bitters if you feel any pain in your rib cage, nausea or discomfort. They should feel good. Discomfort simply have to strengthen the stomach before increasing digestive power.
Related links and articles
- SIBO – more fermentation in the wrong place
- Zinc to stop bloating
- Apple cider vinegar to stop bloating
- Hydrochloric acid capsules to stop bloating
- Gnawing pain in your rib cage – strengthen the stomach lining
- On acid blockers? – safely remove acid blockers without discomfort
Digestion | Anna Rathbun, NC | United States 