Bitters, or bitter herbs are largely unknown in this country. In other cultures, bitters have been used for centuries to strengthen digestion and cleanse the body.
There is an entire process that occurs 15 to 30 minutes after tasting food or beverage called the "bitter reflex". The most important information to take away from this is that bitters can enhance vitamin and mineral absorption, stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce allergies, treat type 2 diabetes, protect the liver, and improve digestion-lessening symptoms of poor digestion such as gas, constipation, and bloating.
Common bitter herbs include chamomile, dandelion, goldenseal, milk thistle and peppermint.
Here are two ways to add bitters to your food plan:
1. Add complex greens that are loaded with nutrients to your dinner salad. These include chicory, dandelion greens, arugula, radicchio, endive.
2. Enjoy a bitter aperitif before your dinner. Campari, Cynar, or Angostura bitters. These liquers were originally marketed as health tonics.
My strong and wise in-laws in Switzerland have always offered a Cynar or Campari before our dinner as a digestive aid.
Visit www.urbanmoonshine.com for some delightful bitter tonics and recipes.
Thank you to Danielle Charles-Davies and Wise Traditions.