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