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How to use herbal bitters to stimulate bile production for improved liver and gall bladder efficiency and more effective digestion of fats without uncomfortable symptoms.
For those who need a bit of help transitioning off a low-fat diet as the body adjusts to digesting healthy fats again, herbal bitters can help!
An ancestral diet rich in whole, natural fats like cream, butter, and coconut oil is sometimes a shock to the system for those who have avoided these nourishing foods for years, perhaps even decades.
Eating healthy fats might even trigger symptoms of nausea and bloating at first.
The cause is a liver and gallbladder that are not accustomed to producing and storing the amount of bile necessary to digest the proper levels of fat present in a traditional diet.
The solution is not to throw in the towel and go back to a low-fat diet! This is true even for those who have had their gallbladders removed.
In many cases, a slow and steady increase in the quantity of fats consumed will allow the liver and gallbladder to gradually adjust.
This protocol for digesting fats after gallbladder surgery works particularly well for those who are consuming coconut oil as a supplement before meals.
Coconut oil is an effective appetite suppressant for weight loss.
Another helpful strategy is to employ the regular use of herbal bitters, an ancient remedy that modern science has all but forgotten.
Bitters Stimulate Bile
Herbal bitters are extracts of medicinal plants that are rich in minerals. It is a traditional tonic for stimulating the production of bile.
More liver efficiency correspondingly improves the digestion and absorption of fats.
It is critical that sufficient bile is produced to digest the fats present in the diet.
This liver enzyme also permits assimilation of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2. These nutrients are critical to health as noted by researcher Dr. Weston A. Price. These activators synergistically supercharge mineral absorption.
Even those who have had their gallbladders removed find herbal bitters a welcome aid. They provide amazing relief when consuming a meal rich in fats.
People who thought they could not eat much fat ever again are often delighted with the results!
Traditional Asian cultures have long valued herbal bitters not only for their digestive benefit but also for their cleansing properties which promote increased strength and healing.
Most health food stores have herbal bitters available for purchase at very reasonable prices. Â
I suggest considering this brand or this brand if herbal bitters are something you wish to try.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
Please note that most brands of herbal bitters are not appropriate for pregnancy or nursing.
This particular herbal bitters formulation made with chamomile is safe to use.
It is appropriate for the occasional nausea, bloating, and heartburn issues that may occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Some women find it helpful for morning sickness as well.
Gallbladder Cleanse May Be Needed
If despite your best efforts using herbal bitters, you still have a problem digesting fats, you may wish to consider a liver and gallbladder cleanse.
There may be some small gall or liver stones inhibiting the bile flow process.
Once removed, the problem may resolve without supplementation.
Reference
(1) Bitters:Â Revival of a Forgotten Flavor
More Information
Tips for Easy Fat Digestion after Gallbladder Surgery
Nutritional Balancing Basics: Your Missing Link to Restored Health?
Thanks, Sarah. We just got some bitters since we eating so much more fat now. Good stuff! Well, not tasty good, lol.
I was just wondering if Oregon Grape Root tea would be considered one of these “bitter teas” or if you need a specific blend of things? I have heard a lot about the Oregon Grape Root tea. It seems to address a lot of problems that GAPS gutts have and it’s definately a bitter tea that’s for sure!
What exactly are bitters?
Very timely post for this. I recall Cheeseslave recommending swedish bitters for severe nausea related to taking FCLO. Now I wonder how effective that might be because I don’t have any problem digesting fats, at all. Still worth a try I suppose. I know if I got pregnant again I’d totally try it to help out with morning sickness at least, help digest things before my tummy wants to expel everything haha.
Bitters: Invaluable Aid to Fat Digestion – The Healthy Home Economist http://t.co/9EjYhp7V
Not knowing anything about bitters before, I was intrigued by today’s blog. But I find myself with more questions than answers. Is there any way you can elaborate more? Like the posters above, I want to know how it is consumed (is it add to food or do you drink it?), when is it consumed (before, during or after a meal), and where on earth do you buy it? More importantly, which brands do you recommend? I found *some* bitters for sale on Amazon, but mostly they were on overseas sites and not available in the US. The brand that you showed in the picture was nowhere to be found as far as I could see. Thanks in advance for any further information you can provide!
Hello Celia. Reading the source article that’s linked above will provide many answers to your questions. See the link at the end of Sarah’s post.
Thanks for writing about this, Sarah. Interesting stuff! Revival of time-tested practices is so exciting!
Here’s another site I found. Don’t know if it’s in USA or overseas, but what difference does that make? I order lots of stuff from London and never have a problem. The shipping is almost as fast as some of the American companies and they’ve regulated their S&H costs to be comparable to US shipping.
This site shows all kinds of products like bitters, teas, creams, etc., from her company. Instead of ordering her MUD stuff, I made my own out of the leftover tea herbs and mixed them with quality kaolin and french green clay (from Mt. Rose Herbs) and made my own masks.
The Swedish Bitters from Maria Treban are the best to use. I could hardly tolerate the liquid so I bought the herbs to make tea, which was also gross but better than the liquid. Check at Amazon.com There is a whole list of different types of capsules, liquids and loose tea herbs to purchase. Just type “swedish bitters” into the search box once you get to their site.
If you don’t think you want to try the bitters, you can order Lipase (the enzyme responsible for helping with fat digestion). I used some from Progressive Labs and I think I also got them from Amazon.
Sorry, the correct spelling is Treben. Here’s a link to amazon for her herb mixture for tea:
http://www.amazon.com/Original-Schwedenkrauter-Swedish-Mixture-Naturwaren/dp/B0006NZ5NI/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1320596190&sr=8-12
Should you consume the bitters before, during, or after meal?
yes, where do you purchase bitters? I have had this problem and was wondering why i was having this reaction. thanks so much for the info.
I love love love my citrus bitters that is made by a company called Urban Moonshine. You can buy it from amazon or from their website. They even have a small spray that can fit in your purse 🙂
Where do you purchase Herbaforce bitters? I googled it and only found foreign websites.
Exactly. I am also facing the same problem. Would love to hear from @Michelle about it.