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Dandelion root bitters is an easy infusion to make at home. Bitter herbs are useful in digestion, and are perfect in an aperitif co*cktail. They increase the digestibility of food and are calming to the nervous system. Bonus – they are delicious in co*cktail form! Learn how to make herbal dandelion root bitters.
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Homemade Herbal Bitters
I’ve always wanted to make my own homemade bitters. If I had known that it was as simple as making an infusion I probably would have done it a long time ago!
Recently, though, I’ve been taking the Intermediate Herbal Course with the Herbal Academy, and there is a lot covered about bitter herbs.
Bitter herbs are especially important for the digestive system, and are great to have before a meal. They increase the digestibility of food and are also calming to the nervous system.
Some common bitter herbs are dandelion, artichoke, orange peel, motherwort, hyssop, burdock, rosemary, mugwort, and Oregon grape root.
The course got me thinking again about making herbal bitters, and one of the best bitter herbs out there is dandelion root.
I happen to have a lot of dried dandelion root on hand, so I thought it would be perfect to make this dandelion root bitters recipe!
Dandelion Root Bitters Recipe
Making homemade bitters is really quite easy, as it’s just a basic infusion of bitter tasting herbs in high proof alcohol.
There are two ways to go about it, one is to make several different single herb infusions and blend them to taste. The other is to combine several herbs together and infuse them that way.
For this recipe I chose to combine them just to make it easy, but do it however you prefer!
Dandelion root bitters is an easy infusion to make at home. Bitter herbs are useful in digestion, and are perfect in an aperitif co*cktail. They increase the digestibility of food and are calming to the nervous system. Bonus – they are delicious in co*cktail form! Learn how to make herbal dandelion root bitters.
One of our favorite ingredients here is dandelion, and while some might consider this plant a pesky weed, the dandelion is incredibly supportive of both our digestive system and our bodies' natural detoxification process by helping the body break down fats and carry away waste.
Here are some aromatics typically used to make bitters: Herbs and flowers: mint, sage, lemongrass, peppermint, sorrel, lavender, chamomile, hibiscus, passionflower, yarrow, rose, milk thistle, and valerian.
How to take digestive bitters: “To take bitters, drop one serving (usually around ¼ tsp) onto your tongue and hold them in your mouth for about 10-15 seconds, until you start to salivate. You'll want the bitter tincture to fall all across your tongue, as we have bitter receptors on our entire tongue,” says Zellner.
Those bitter, earthy roots taste fantastic and carry beneficial properties—digestive, kidney, and liver support plus blood purification—and so it plays a starring role in every variety of our classic bitters. Did you know?
When taken by mouth: Dandelion is likely safe for most people when consumed in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts. Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people.
The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system. Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to help kidney function.
By stimulating the liver and increasing bile production, herbal bitters can help to improve liver function and detoxification. Blood sugar regulation: Some studies have suggested that bitter herbs may help to regulate blood sugar levels by decreasing post-prandial (after eating) blood glucose levels.
Aid the liver in detoxification work and increase the flow of bile. Help regulate secretion of pancreatic hormones that regulate blood sugar, insulin, and glucagon.
The reason why people take digestive bitters is to aid their digestion and help mitigate symptoms of indigestion. A 2021 review of studies in Nutrients found that bitters can help with regulating hormones related to gut health and can increase gut motility (i.e., how foods move through our digestive system).
If your gastrointestinal tract is working well on its own — or if it's already working overtime — consuming bitters may actually backfire. Bitters create more gastric acid in your stomach, which can actually contribute to digestive issues in people who are predisposed to them: Acid reflux.
Types of maror. The Mishnah specifies five types of bitter herbs eaten on the night of Passover: ḥazzeret (lettuce), ʿuleshīn (endive/chicory), temakha, ḥarḥavina (possibly melilot, or Eryngium creticum), and maror (likely Sonchus oleraceus, sowthistle).
In your scripture study journal, write bitter herbs under the title “Passover,” and then write answers to the following questions: What part of the Israelites' lives in Egypt had been bitter? (As the Israelites ate the bitter herbs, they were to remember the bitterness of their bondage to the Egyptians.)
People who are pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn't take bitters. They also shouldn't be given to children as they often are infused in alcohol. People who have gastrointestinal disease shouldn't take bitters as they might irritate your digestive system.
Taraxacum officinale, known as dandelion, is a bitter herb indicated in a number of different instances. Both the leaf and the root are used and possess very similar actions. Dandelion is commonly used for dyspepsia, improvement of appetite and stimulation of digestion as well as jaundice and constipation (2).
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), an annual flowering herb, belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is widely found in Southern and Southeastern Asia. It is commonly referred to as “king of the bitters” due to its extremely bitter taste.
Dandelion tea is high in vitamin A and vitamin C, both of which boost the immune system and encourages healthy cell growth. It also helps our eyesight and reduces the signs of premature aging. Dandelions are also brightened with vitamin K which helps bone health and is essential to blood clotting.
They can aid in digestion, relieve bloating and gas, support liver function, enhance appetite and nutrient absorption, and promote overall wellness. While digestive bitters can be a helpful addition to your wellness routine, it's important to note that they are not a magic cure-all.
Dandelion is used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, and bruises. Dandelion is also used to increase urine production and as a laxative to increase bowel movements. It is also used as skin toner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic.
Dandelion tea is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte that stimulates the heartbeat. Potassium may help the kidney filter toxins more effectively and improve blood flow. The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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