The Benefits of Bitter Herbs

Bitter herbs are one of herbal medicine’s great contributions to human health. Quite simply, this category contains herbs that have a bitter taste, ranging from mildly bitter yarrow to fiercely bitter rue. Absinthin, a constituent found in wormwood, is so bitter it can be tasted even at dilutions of 1 part in 30,000 parts of water. The strong flavor is often attributed to a “bitter principle,” which can be a volatile oil, an alkaloid, an iridoid, or a sesquiterpene.

Following stimulation of the bitter receptors, located at the back of the tongue, a range of physiological responses occurs. Specific taste buds transmit the taste of bitterness to the central nervous system, triggering a number of reflexes. These reflexes have important ramifications, all of value to the digestive process and general health:

• The stimulation of the flow of digestive juices from the exocrine glands of the mouth, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, and liver aid in good digestion as well as helping a range of conditions caused by inefficient or allergy-distorted digestion.

• The flow of digestive juices triggers a stimulation of appetite. This is helpful in convalescence as well as in cases of appetite reduction.

• A range of liver activities is stimulated, including increased bile production and the release of bile from the gallbladder.

• A very mild stimulation of the endocrine glands occurs, producing insulin and glucagon secretions from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Diabetics need to use bitters cautiously, as these herbs can change the blood sugar balance. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, however, bitter remedies can play a role in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes.

• Bitter remedies can trigger subtle psychological effects, even acting as mild antidepressants. For example, bitters can help lift the spirits in cases of post-viral-infection depression.

• The central reflex stimulates peristalsis, an action that moves wastes through the intestines through a series of muscular contractions.

• Bitter remedies also stimulate the gut wall’s self-repair mechanisms.

Some common herbal bitters are:
Barberry (pictured)
Boneset
Chamomile
Dandelion
Gentian
Goldenseal
Hop
Horehound
Mugwort
Rue
Southernwood
Tansy
Wormwood
Yarrow

Adapted from Healthy Digestion by David Hoffman (Storey Books, 2000).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jennifer E.

2:02PM PDT on Apr 3, 2011

I read somewhere once, that many tribal people use bitter herbs in rituals and celebrations at certain times in the year to ward off sickness, and modern research has found that bitter foods help boost the immune system. So maybe there is lots of old wisdom out there, based on astute observation of the people in their communities.

send a green star

KS G.

4:57AM PST on Feb 18, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Robert O.

11:20AM PST on Dec 22, 2010

Interesting. I had no idea. Thanks.

Pete C.

12:14AM PDT on Jun 13, 2010

cool

Agnieszka M.

1:20PM PDT on May 9, 2010

I was surprised that the bitter tasting herbs could have such an impact, especially with the psychological aspect relieving mild depressions.

Past Member .

5:10AM PDT on Jun 15, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Anna M.

5:46PM PST on Dec 1, 2008

Bitter herbs relate to many herbs ... it adds them at the bottom of the article.
Chamomile can be useful for all sorts .... a compress, an oil, cake toppings .... the list is endless.
Try researching youtube.com
I was amazed at this website.......it is not just rubbish.
Regards

Justine T.

3:37PM PST on Dec 1, 2008

Careful with the Rue and Absinth. If you touch Rue and then spend time in the sun you will get a terrible sunburn. The oil from the Rue intensifies the suns rays. And Absinth can cause hallucinations, so don't use much.

Shamana L.

5:13AM PST on Nov 17, 2008

How should we use the herbs? As in chamomile? Is tea good? Or should I eat the entire herb?

Anyone have recipes using chamomile othe than tea?

ĴΩ N.

6:31AM PDT on May 30, 2008

This explains much in my life of certain exotically strange cravings. Don't ask. You do not even want to know. I shall pursue this bitterly. Thnx for the info.