{"id":63936,"date":"2019-12-13T21:51:50","date_gmt":"2019-12-14T05:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=63936"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:20:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:20:34","slug":"best-herbal-bitters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/best-herbal-bitters\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Best Herbal Bitters + Combinations & Synergies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bitters can help improve digestion, relieve gut inflammation & protect the stomach and liver. In this post, we discuss the top 8 herbal bitters<\/a>, the studies showing their potential benefits, and their combinations that have synergistic effects.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Preliminary research points to some amazing herbal bitters, but the level of clinical evidence remains low. The following studies should encourage further investigation before we make any definite conclusions. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking any of the herbs discussed below. They can not replace medical treatment for any health condition.<\/em><\/p>\n

Best Herbal Bitters<\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/a>1) Artichoke<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Artichoke<\/a> is a great health food. Several clinical studies have shown that artichoke leaf extracts are effective at relieving indigestion [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In a study of 208 people with IBS, artichoke leaf extract reduced constipation<\/a> and diarrhea while improving the quality of life. By the end of the study, 26% of the participants no longer had IBS [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In a survey of people with indigestion and IBS, 96% said that artichoke was as good or better than previous treatments. It can help with IBS by preventing muscle spasms and balancing the gut microbiota<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Artichoke bitter properties also stimulate liver function and regeneration. Leaf extract significantly improved the lipid profile and reduced the symptoms of fatty liver in 100 patients [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Cynarin, a compound in artichoke extracts, increases bile<\/a> production from the liver which aids in the digestion of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamin A<\/a> and D) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Artichoke extracts prevent gut spasms in guinea pig intestines, which may relieve stomach pain<\/a>. In rats, artichoke leaf extracts prevented damage to the stomach lining caused by alcohol or stress<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>2) Milk Thistle<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Milk thistle (Silymarin<\/a>) is best known as a liver support remedy and anti-inflammatory, but its bitter qualities can also enhance digestion [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Silymarin prevented <\/strong>ulcerative colitis<\/strong><\/a> from coming back<\/strong> in a clinical trial with 80 people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Multiple rat studies show that it protects against stomach ulcers and inflammation <\/strong>(potentially by decreasing neutrophils<\/a> and stomach acid). It may improve bile flow, which helps with digestion and the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>3) Gentian<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Gentian family includes over 400 species, all of which are commonly referred to as Gentian and have a strikingly long history of use. Gentian got its name from King Gentius who ruled in the Mediterranean region in 181 BC. Modern Gentian is native to Europe, parts of Iran, and Tibet [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

It can help with digestion by promoting saliva and stomach acid production, as well as by increasing blood flow to the stomach and intestines. Folks have been using it as a carminative (digestion enhancer) for ages [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In one study on rats, 4 different species of gentian herbs all promoted digestion. They increased stomach acid and the digestive enzyme pepsin. Gentian could also boost mucus levels, which helps prevent damage from stomach acid [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In rats with impaired gut flow, the active compound from gentian (gentiopicroside) restored normal digestion [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Gentian extracts can protect against stomach ulcers and alcohol damage to the stomach lining, according to numerous animal studies. And as an additional benefit, they have antibacterial and antifungal effects [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>4) Goldenseal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis<\/em>), native to North America, is an herb that has been traditionally used to fight infections. Much of modern research has focused on berberine<\/a>, a bitter compound found in Goldenseal roots with many medicinal qualities [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Berberine is a natural, safe anti-diarrheal. In a clinical trial with 196 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), berberine significantly reduced diarrhea frequency and stomach pain, improving the quality of life [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In another clinical trial with 165 people, berberine stopped diarrhea due to E. coli<\/em><\/strong> in 42% of the cases after just 1 day of use [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In human and rat studies, berberine from goldenseal significantly speeds up digestion, reducing the time it takes for food to travel through the small intestine [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In rats, berberine reduced gut inflammation (possibly by reducing lipid peroxidation and NF-\u03baB<\/a> levels). In diabetic rats, it helped restore the gut barrier and improved nutrient absorption [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Berberine might be helpful for clearing toxins that reach the blood in people with leaky gut, such as LPS<\/a>. In mice with high LPS (endotoxemia), it helped prevent leaky gut. In a gut tissue study, it blocked about 70% of the toxins produced by gut bacteria (Vibrio cholerae<\/em> and E. coli<\/em>) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>5) Angelica<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Angelica is a plant genus with over 60 medical species (including Angelica gigas<\/em><\/a> and Angelica sinensis)<\/em>, traditionally used to fight arthritis, indigestion, headaches<\/a>, the flu, infections, and more. Dong Quai<\/a> or \u201cfemale ginseng<\/a>\u201d is one commonly used medicinal plant from this family [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Injections of Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis<\/em>) helped improve ulcerative colitis in a study with 94 people (by preventing platelet activation) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In a rat study, extracts of Dong Quai greatly reduced the size of stomach ulcers and increased the production of protective mucus production. In another study, extracts protected rats from ulcers and stomach damage [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>6) Citruses (Bitter Orange)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Citruses are flowering trees that include lemons, limes, oranges, and others. All citruses originate from southeast Asia but only some have bitter qualities. The main bitter from this group is bitter orange<\/strong> (Citrus aurantium<\/em>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In rats with IBS<\/a>, bitter orange reduced diarrhea, colon inflammation, and inflammatory molecules (TNF-alpha<\/a>, COX-2<\/a>). A bioactive molecule from bitter orange essential oil (\u0392-myrcene) reduced stomach and intestinal ulcers in rats [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Bitter orange peel essential oil decreased stomach ulcer size and helped grow new blood vessels to aid in the healing process in rats. In another rat study, this essential oil protects against stomach injuries caused by alcohol or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by increasing stomach mucus levels in rats [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

A flavonoid found in citrus peels (nobiletin) improved gut barrier integrity<\/strong> and had anti-inflammatory healing effects in rats with colon inflammation. However, other flavonoids can actually worsen \u201cleaky gut\u201d<\/strong>. Some of the ones in bitter orange (Hesperidin<\/a> and neohesperidin) worsened ulcers and intestinal permeability in rats [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n