Week 7: Bitters Flashcards
Stomachic
Tones or benefits the function of the stomach, increases appetite
Bitter
Tastes bitter, stimulates digestion
Carminative
Prevents formation of or relieves gas
Laxative
Facilitates a bowel movement
Emetic
Causes vomiting
Antiemetic
Relieves nausea, stops vomiting
Name a Quintessential Digestive Bitter
Gentiana lutea
Name the Alterative Bitters.
Taraxacum officinale, Cynara scolymus, Rumex crispus, Mahonia spp.
Name the Aromatic Bitters
Zingiber officinale, Citrus sinensis/aurantium, Elettaria cardamomum
Name the Bitter Carminatives
Matricaria recutita, Angelica archangelica
Gentiana lutea - Gentian
Family, Common Name, Energetic Qualities
Family: Gentianaceae
Common Name: Bitter Root, Bitterwort
Energetic Qualities: Cooling
Gentiana lutea - Gentian
Major Constituents
Amarogentin, gentiopicrin, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin - Secoiridoid glycosides
Gentiana lutea - Gentian
Actions
Bitter tonic to stimulate digestion.
Central to many classic digestive bitter formulas, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue
Gentiana lutea - Gentian
Indications
anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption
Does the essential oil contain the bitter flavonoids?
No
Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium
Sweet and Bitter Orange Peel
Family and Energetics
Family: Rutaceae
Energetics: uplifting, sour, bitter, cool or warm (depends on who you ask), drying
Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium
Actions
bitter, carminative, corrigent
Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium
Indications
dyspepsia, low appetite, malabsorption, gas and bloating.
Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium
Constituents - Many BITTER TASTING FLAVONOIDS glycosides including neohesperidin and naringin; non- bitter flavonoids, such as hesperidin, rutoside, sinensetin, nobiletin, tangeretin; between 1-2% essential oil with limonene as the main component (>90%), perillyl alcohol and geraniol; pectins; and furanocoumarins. There are also many phenols contained in the peel including polymethoxylated flavones and numerous hydroxycinnamates.
Classic Use of Orange Peel
a bitter tonic for dyspepsia and loss of appetite
Both the bitter principles and the d-limonene in the essential oil have effects on the GI mucosa.
The furanocoumarins in C. aurantium, mainly bergapten, are PHOTOSENSITIZING in sensitive, fair-skinned individuals. No significant furanocoumarins in C. sinensis
D-limonene is used in the treatment of gallstones because it is a solvent of cholesterol.
It is also used in treatment of GERD because it promotes peristalsis and protects GI mucosa.
Artemisia vulgaris
Mugwort
Family & Energetics
Family: Asteraceae
Part Used: Aerial parts
Energetics: warming, aromatic
Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort
Constituents
Constituents: sesquiterpene
lactones, thujone, azulenes,
flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, resins
Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort
Actions
Actions: bitter, carminative, febrifuge, nervine, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, vermifuge
Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort
Indications
Indications: anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption
Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)
Family and Energetics
Family: Asteraceae
Energetics: warming, aromatic
Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)
Constituents
Constituents: sesquiterpene, lactones, thujone, azulenes,
flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, resins
Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)
Actions
Actions: bitter, carminative, febrifuge, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antidepressant
Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)
Indications
Indications: anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption, intestinal parasites
Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)
Family, Energetics and Specificity of Seat
Family: Berberidaceae
Part Used: Root bark and stem bark
Energetics: Cooling, drying
Specificity of Seat: Liver
Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)
Constituents
isoquinoline alkaloids – berberine, hydrastine, oxycanthine
Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)
Actions
alterative, digestive bitter, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, cholagogue, mild laxative.
Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)
Indications and CIs
Indications:
- Skin conditions: psoriasis, eczema, herpes, pityriasis, acne, syphilis.
- Poor gallbladder function: nausea, fat malabsorption, digestive upset
- Infections: skin, eye, and intestinal tract (bacterial, fungal and protazoal)
Contraindications: Pregnancy
Name as many Bitter Greens as you can.
Taraxacum officinale leaf Kale Mustard Greens Radicchio Collards Endive Spinach Chard Arugula
Common Bitter Formulas
Gentian/Scutellaria
Gentian/Ginger
Swedish Bitters (Paracelsus Elixir) - Licorice, Nutmeg, Aloe, Turkish Rhubarb, Calamus, Myrrh, Theriac Venetian, Zedoary root, Dittany, Gentian, Angelica Root, Kaolin, Carline thistle, Camphor, Tormentilla, Mace, Senna, Saffron
Therapeutic Indications for Bitters in general
Dyspepsia
“Intestinal atony” (weak digestion)
Hypochlorhydria
Malabsorption
Contraindications for Bitters in general
Hyperchlorhydria Acute Gastritis Acute diarrhea Acute IBD flare Acute peptic ulcer Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Concomitant acid blocker drug therapy
