Week 7: Bitters

Question 1

Stomachic

Answer 1

Tones or benefits the function of the stomach, increases appetite

Question 2

Bitter

Answer 2

Tastes bitter, stimulates digestion

Question 3

Carminative

Answer 3

Prevents formation of or relieves gas

Question 4

Laxative

Answer 4

Facilitates a bowel movement

Question 5

Emetic

Answer 5

Causes vomiting

Question 6

Antiemetic

Answer 6

Relieves nausea, stops vomiting

Question 7

Name a Quintessential Digestive Bitter

Answer 7

Gentiana lutea

Question 8

Name the Alterative Bitters.

Answer 8

Taraxacum officinale, Cynara scolymus, Rumex crispus, Mahonia spp.

Question 9

Name the Aromatic Bitters

Answer 9

Zingiber officinale, Citrus sinensis/aurantium, Elettaria cardamomum

Question 10

Name the Bitter Carminatives

Answer 10

Matricaria recutita, Angelica archangelica

Question 11

Gentiana lutea - Gentian

Family, Common Name, Energetic Qualities

Answer 11

Family: Gentianaceae

Common Name: Bitter Root, Bitterwort

Energetic Qualities: Cooling

Question 12

Gentiana lutea - Gentian

Major Constituents

Answer 12

Amarogentin, gentiopicrin, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin - Secoiridoid glycosides

Question 13

Gentiana lutea - Gentian

Actions

Answer 13

Bitter tonic to stimulate digestion.

Central to many classic digestive bitter formulas, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue

Question 14

Gentiana lutea - Gentian

Indications

Answer 14

anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption

Question 15

Does the essential oil contain the bitter flavonoids?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium
Sweet and Bitter Orange Peel

Family and Energetics

Answer 16

Family: Rutaceae

Energetics: uplifting, sour, bitter, cool or warm (depends on who you ask), drying

Question 17

Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium

Actions

Answer 17

bitter, carminative, corrigent

Question 18

Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium

Indications

Answer 18

dyspepsia, low appetite, malabsorption, gas and bloating.

Question 19

Citrus sinensis/Citrus aurantium

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Classic Use of Orange Peel

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Artemisia vulgaris
Mugwort

Family & Energetics

Answer 21

Family: Asteraceae
Part Used: Aerial parts
Energetics: warming, aromatic

Question 22

Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort

Constituents

Answer 22

Constituents: sesquiterpene
lactones, thujone, azulenes,
flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, resins

Question 23

Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort

Actions

Answer 23

Actions: bitter, carminative, febrifuge, nervine, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, vermifuge

Question 24

Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort

Indications

Answer 24

Indications: anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption

Question 25

Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)

Family and Energetics

Answer 25

Family: Asteraceae

Energetics: warming, aromatic

Question 26

Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)

Constituents

Answer 26

Constituents: sesquiterpene, lactones, thujone, azulenes,

flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, resins

Question 27

Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)

Actions

Answer 27

Actions: bitter, carminative, febrifuge, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antidepressant

Question 28

Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)

Indications

Answer 28

Indications: anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal atony, malabsorption, intestinal parasites

Question 29

Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)

Family, Energetics and Specificity of Seat

Answer 29

Family: Berberidaceae
Part Used: Root bark and stem bark
Energetics: Cooling, drying
Specificity of Seat: Liver

Question 30

Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)

Constituents

Answer 30

isoquinoline alkaloids – berberine, hydrastine, oxycanthine

Question 31

Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)

Actions

Answer 31

alterative, digestive bitter, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, cholagogue, mild laxative.

Question 32

Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.) (Oregon Grape)

Indications and CIs

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Name as many Bitter Greens as you can.

Answer 33

Taraxacum officinale leaf
Kale
Mustard Greens
Radicchio
Collards
Endive
Spinach
Chard
Arugula

Question 34

Common Bitter Formulas

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Therapeutic Indications for Bitters in general

Answer 35

Dyspepsia
“Intestinal atony” (weak digestion)
Hypochlorhydria
Malabsorption

Question 36

Contraindications for Bitters in general

Answer 36

Hyperchlorhydria
Acute Gastritis
Acute diarrhea
Acute IBD flare
Acute peptic ulcer
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Concomitant acid blocker drug therapy