Old herbal pharmacopoeias recognized major bitters as roots of parsley, fennel, anise and butchers broom. The term today applies to stimulants for appetite and aids to soothe the stomach.
Anise flavored digestifs are popular in taverns along the Mediterranean. In fact, research shows anise relaxes the parasympathetic nerves, the nerves that control the digestive tract.
Apertifs or “bitters” are drinks served in cafes and bars. They have a strong alcoholic content but to a great extent the alcohol can sometimes nullify the benefits of drinking bitters. It is better to dilute with water or toss a shot glass down the hatch!
Bitters, or herbs that are bitter, are helpful to cleanse the liver and aid with digestive problems. Indigestion is the inability to digest food and absorb nutrients. Gas and bloating are often results of this inability. Age can also affect the decline of digestive capabilities.
In many cases, foods and herbs can alleviate these digestive problems, trying an over the counter anti-acid can many make it worse instead of better! You can juice some vegetables and herbs; or you can eat them in a salad. Some suggestions are greens like cabbage, dandelion, fennel bulbs.
Other herb suggestions are cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin seeds, dill, turmeric, anise, fenugreek or fennel seeds. Green herbs for digestives are basil, peppermint and ginger root. Personally I never thought this but Cocoa is also a bitter, it’s just we are so used to having our chocolates with added sugar! I like chewing fennel seeds like they have at Indian restaurants at the end of your meal; and as many other European countries do as well.
Fruits that will help are pineapple, grapes, apples, lemons and papaya.
Before Dinner Mint Juice
3 Kiwi, 8 sprigs of peppermint, 1 apple and blend together with ice and/or water. This blend stimulates the liver and gallbladder to function better, increases bile flow to the intestines. This will help breakdown of food.
Digestive Seed Tea
In equal amounts, 1 tsp anise seed, 1 tsp dill seed, 1 tsp fennel seed and crush seeds in mortar and pestle, or grinder, blend, cover with boiling water. Steep 15 minutes. Strain and drink warm. All of these seeds have digestive properties and help with flatulence and calming down the intestines.
A favorite remedy for babies and children to calm the stomach is the herb chamomile. Drink a tea infusion to relieve a child’s indigestion or “nervous” tummy.
References:
The Juicing Bible by Pat Crocker
Herbs for Health and Healing by Kathi Keville
Healing Spices by Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD
Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.
Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.
Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.
Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.
She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.
Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.
