Mixing Bitters

[IdahoHerbalist]

My wife asked me today, “What happens when two bitters are mixed together? Why can’t raspberry and dandelion be mixed together?” I don’t know where she read this.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I’ve never heard that they can’t be mixed. In fact, they are often mixed in pre-natal teas for pregnant ladies.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Do all edible bitter plants act as Bitters which increase saliva, stimulate enzyme activity, etc. or just the bitter herbs?

[IdahoHerbalist]

Since it is primarily the bitter flavor that is causing the action ANYTHING that is bitter should stimulate your system and react appropriately.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Some of the real “bitters” have some other pharmacology, but yeah, the bitter is the big deal.

Certainly you should stick with known edible plants.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Ha ha Doc! I hope I don’t deviate from the edibles:)

Chocolate in the raw, cacao, is bitter to the taste. So I’m assuming it is a real “bitter.” If I add a drop of honey and some almond milk to it so it is sweeter on the tongue does the preparation negate the wonderful qualities that bitters give?

Does it have to TASTE bitter to do it’s job?

[IdahoHerbalist]

The primary action is the physical reaction to the bitter taste. So, yeah, adding sweeteners will decrease that part of it.

[AnnettStudent]

Thanks!

[AnnettStudent]

Another bitters question:)

For a person without a gall bladder, will the bitters stimulate enough bile flow that they will digest fats as the body is supposed to?

I’m wondering if there are herbs that can somehow compensate for the missing gall bladder in digestive function, that can be taken long term of course.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

annett wrote: Another bitters question:)

For a person without a gall bladder, will the bitters stimulate enough bile flow that they will digest fats as the body is supposed to?

I’m wondering if there are herbs that can somehow compensate for the missing gall bladder in digestive function, that can be taken long term of course.

The gall bladder’s function is bile storage and propulsion not bile production. So, if you don’t have a gall bladder, bile stimulating herbs will still stimulate bile production by the liver and that bile will still travel down the bile duct to the intestines. It just won’t get propelled by the contraction of the gall bladder.

The liver module has some good anatomical discussion and images of how the liver, gall bladder and intestines interface.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Thanks Doc. I have been studying that module for a while now. I guess I’m trying to figure out if the bile from the liver is enough, for proper digestion, when the gall bladder is gone. Does it need to be compensated for in order to have proper digestion? Or is the liver bile (as it’s being produced as we eat) enough for proper digestion?

Does that make sense, what I’m asking?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

The gall bladder contracts and drives bile into the gut after a meal. So folks that don’t have one do have some funky digestive issues sometimes. There isn’t an herb that will fix that specifically but herbs that produce more bile can help.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Thank you again:)

[AnnettStudent]

My family has been drinking a bitter tea before breakfast and before dinner to help with digestion. This is great, but when I’m out and about I wanted to have something to take quickly. So I tried making bitter herbal pills (Doc’s recipe). Bitters are so difficult to take this way that I’m wanting to take as little as possible to get the effect. So, does anyone know how much or how long the bitter needs to be in the mouth to cause all the digestive wonderfulness to happen? Does just one taste of bitter do the job?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

annett wrote: My family has been drinking a bitter tea before breakfast and before dinner to help with digestion. This is great, but when I’m out and about I wanted to have something to take quickly. So I tried making bitter herbal pills (Doc’s recipe). Bitters are so difficult to take this way that I’m wanting to take as little as possible to get the effect. So, does anyone know how much or how long the bitter needs to be in the mouth to cause all the digestive wonderfulness to happen? Does just one taste of bitter do the job?

One cup of the tea will do the job. I’d guess sucking a bitter lozenge for as long as it would take you to get through a cup of tea would be equivalent. Try it and see.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

This is pretty funny Doc. I can down a cup of tepid tea in an instant.

Maybe with time, I’ll learn to like bitters…..Haha.

[AnnettStudent]

How does the physiology of the bile work in a person without a gall bladder?

Does the bile drip nonstop in a person with no gall bladder?

If so, is it likely to contribute to loose stools?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

annett wrote: How does the physiology of the bile work in a person without a gall bladder?

Does the bile drip nonstop in a person with no gall bladder?

If so, is it likely to contribute to loose stools?

Bile is always dripping down the common bile duct. If you have a gall bladder, some is diverted for storage and intentional (Well…on a sub-conscious, physiological level) release. Having no gall bladder often goofs up digestion in a variety of ways.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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