Bitter herbs

Among herbs, there are many representatives that positively affect our health in various ways as medicinal plants. This is partly because numerous herbaceous plants contain bitter substances, which is why these herbs taste bitter. The term bitter herbs has also become established for these herbaceous plants.

Bitter substances are becoming rarer but are important

The reason why some herbs are bitter lies in their ingredients. The bitter taste is given by bitter substances, which were contained in many more foods up to 100 years ago than today. Therefore, people at that time were more accustomed to the bitter taste than we are in our modern world.
Bitter substances, as found in many native herbs, are attributed with a number of health effects:
Bitter substances stimulate digestion. This is especially good before and after fatty and heavy meals.
Bitter substances can help with complaints such as bloating, constipation, heartburn, or chronic intestinal problems.
Bitter substances can curb appetite and help with weight loss.
Bitter substances can curb cravings by releasing a hormone that signals the brain to stop eating.
When applied externally, bitter substances can have anti-inflammatory effects and are used for acne and neurodermatitis.

Why bitter substances and bitter herbs work

Bitter herbs that contain bitter substances probably work because we have receptors for bitter taste not only on the tongue but also throughout the gastrointestinal tract and even in other organs or the skin. Why these receptors are present in so many places and exactly how they work is currently being intensively researched. But the mere fact that bitter receptors are present, for example, in the intestine could explain why bitter herbs have such a diverse effect. Bitter substances promote healthy intestinal activity by improving blood circulation and digestion, increase saliva flow, and stimulate fat metabolism in the liver and gallbladder. They also stimulate the production of gastric juices, bile, and pancreatic secretions, which helps break down food into usable components. So anyone who wants to do something good for their liver and gallbladder should consume bitter substances several times a week.

Bitter substances as appetite suppressants?

Bitter substances can also help you lose weight to reach your target weight. Bitter substances can indirectly help by reducing your craving for sweets, thus acting as natural appetite suppressants. According to a study, people who are sensitive to bitter flavors are about 20 percent slimmer than those who perceive bitter flavors only weakly.
In addition, bitter substances stimulate the production of digestive juices and thus suppress hunger faster, making us feel full sooner and eat significantly less. We all know that salty and sweet foods make us want more, but bitter substances do not.

Excursus: Herbal bitters

The beneficial effects of bitter herbs are also utilized by spirits called herbal bitters. Their name derives from the bitter taste of the herbs added to the high-proof drink. Herbal bitters are said to support digestion and are therefore often drunk as a digestive schnapps after hearty meals.
However, studies suggest that the alcohol counteracts the digestive-promoting effect of the bitter herbs. Therefore, for the sake of your health, you should better choose herbs that taste bitter.

Bitter herbs

Typical herbs that are bitter and grow in this country have been compiled here for you:

• Valerian
• Mugwort
• Angelica
• Gentian
• Dandelion
• Milk Thistle
• Peppermint
• Yarrow
• Chicory
• Wormwood

Bitter herbs like true angelica (angelica root), gentian, cardamom, and milk thistle herb also represent important ingredients of our BitterKraft!, which contains valuable bitter substances.

Sources

https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/ernaehrung/lebensmittel/inhaltsstoffe/bitterstoffe

https://www.css.ch/en/private-customers/my-health/nutrition/nutrition-knowledge/bitter-substances.html