Bitter Herbs, Herbs Index, Herbs Information, List of Herbs, Herbs For Digestion

Bitter Herbs

Refer to this handy list of herbs to find bitter herbs information and herbs for digestion.


These herbs are very important to the digestive system. They are called bitter herbs, because, well, they taste bitter. The compounds that give it that taste works on the body to treat but especially to prevent. This class of herbs promotes health throughout the body.

Remember the tongue has four different regions of taste? Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. When taste buds of the bitter region pick up on these types of herbs a signal is sent through the nerves to the central nervous system. Messages are then sent to the gut which releases the digestive hormone, gastrin. From there things start rolling.

Remember, this is possible only through the taste of these herbs for digestion. Finding a pill with these herbs is not going to get the effects of bitters.

Here are some actions of bitters:
  • Stimulate appetite - not always desirable but beneficial to those who are convalescing as well as those who have lost appetite for various reasons.

  • Stimulate digestion - proper digestion is needed to prevent food related allergies. Very important!

  • Aids in liver functions and increased bile flow- many problems arise from an overtaxed liver.

  • Regulate pancreatic hormones - helps with secretion of blood sugar, insulin and glucagon.

  • Stimulate repair of gut wall - many problems arise with permeability of the gut wall.

  • Promotes overall health - since so much depends on healthy digestion of food.

Bitters are often used as flavorings and can be found in some liqueurs. It is best to take bitters a half hour before meals to stimulate the digestive juices.

Some people should not take bitters. Avoid bitters if you have gallbladder, kidney, GERD, Hiatus hernia, gastritis, peptic ulcer, dysmenorrhea issues and if pregnant.

Herbs List of Bitters

Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)

Bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium)

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Centaury (Centaurium erythraea)

Coffee (Coffea spp.)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Gentian (Gentiana lutea)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)

Rue (Ruta spp.)

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Ways to use them:

Make a nutritious salad dressing.

Make a pre-dinner herbal bitters drink.



You can get bitter herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs
Changing Habits 21 Day Healthy Weightloss experience

Mountain Rose Herbs. A herbs, health and harmony c

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