Herbal Bitters and Holiday Season Indulgence.
A key time for digestive support is the holiday season. Holiday meals are often richer, heavier, and higher in fats than a typical diet. Since bitters stimulate the release of bile—the liver's natural fat emulsifier—and boost stomach acid, they can be exceptionally useful when taken before or after a large meal. This helps your body cope with the heavier digestive load, minimizing the common post-holiday-feast sluggishness, indigestion, and bloating.
The use of bitters is deeply rooted in global herbal and culinary traditions. For centuries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, various bitter herbs were consumed before or after meals to "prime the pump" of digestion. Traditional bitter preparations often include herbs like:
- Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)
- Gentian (Gentiana lutea)
- Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
- Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Examples include the Italian Amaro Averna with gentian, orange peel and licorice, Spanish Hierbas with fennel and other aromatic herbs and many people have heard of Jagermeister, the German liqueur that has been popularised as a party drink but was originally developed as a medicinal drink to aid digestion. Let's not forget the decadent bitterness of South American coffee and cacao, both of which are firmly the global norm now, and of course Aotearoa’s very own Kumerahou.
How they work: Digestive bitters are preparations made from herbs that stimulate
and tone the digestive system. The bitter taste is a key trigger for the body's
digestive process.
When the taste receptors on the tongue detect a bitter flavor, it signals the gastrointestinal tract to prepare for digestion. This reflex can lead to:
- Increased Salivation: Starting the breakdown of food in the mouth.
- Increased Gastric Acid (HCl) Production: Essential for protein digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Release of Digestive Enzymes: From the stomach and pancreas.
- Increased Bile Flow: From the liver and gallbladder.
Most of us are not used to bitter tastes due to modern food styles but you quickly become accustomed to it. Come in and talk to us about our many options for digestive bitters to aid your digestive comfort this holiday season.