Contents
- 1 Swedish Bitters
- 2 What makes A Swedish Bitter ?
- 3 Medicinal Properties & Benefits of Swedish Bitters
- 4 Bitters for digestion and gut health
- 5 Bitters for immune function and inflammation
- 6 Bitters for sugar and appetite control
- 7 Common bittering agents and aromatics and what they can be used for
- 8 The side effects of Swedish bitters
- 9 FAQs list
Swedish Bitters
Swedish bitterness is an herbal infusion made with a mixture of many herbs, roots, seeds and flowers. Typically, Swedish bitterness is used for medicinal purposes and can be consumed alone or mixed with other beverages.
Swedish bitterness contains 11 different ingredients, including aloe (Aloe Vera), camphor, angelica root (Angelica sinensis.), saffron, senna leaves (Senna alexandrina), mildew, myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), rhubarb roots (Rheum rhabarbarum), zedoir roots, milk thistle roots (Onopordum acanthium) and theriac venetian (valerian root, cinnamon, cardamom).
What makes A Swedish Bitter ?
Bitters are made of various herbs and whole plant extracts. your entire digestive tract they’re taken orally like a tonic, and designed to stimulate the release of digestive enzymes from your mouth . At the same time, Swedish Bitters promote the secretion of other integral digestive substances such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and bile.
The standard formula of a Swedish Bitter tonic including a base of alcohol, with herbs such as aloe vera, angelica root, carline thistle root, camphor, manna, myrrh, rhubarb root, saffron, senna, and ginger. There are many variations on the recipe and also non-alcoholic versions.
Medicinal Properties & Benefits of Swedish Bitters
Swedish Bitters can be used to treat many different conditions and disorders. Swedish Bitters can be used as a topical treatment as compresses can take away pain, swelling and bruising overnight. Results can often be seen within minutes.
The benefits of Swedish Bitters include:
- Improve digestion of protein
- Aid in mineral absorption
- Improve breakdown of fats and also fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
- Help to reduce symptoms like gas, pain and bloating
- Relieve occasional heartburn
- Aid regular bowel movements
- Reduce food intolerances and sensitivities
- Help in the breakdown of microbes
- Prevent SIBO and Candida yeast overgrowth
- Reduce sweet cravings and regulate blood sugar
- Promote cooling and remove “heat” from the body (aka inflammation)
- May help improve detoxification, healthy skin, joint pain and mood
Digestion and gut benefits
When your digestion needs a little support, bitters can facilitate stomach acid and act as a digestive aid.
This can not only ease indigestion, but also heartburn, nausea, cramping, bloating, and gas.
Bitters for digestion and gut health
- gentian
- dandelion
- wormwood
- burdock
Immune and inflammation benefits
Burdock is an inflammation fighter that has been shown Trusted Source to have positive effects in people with osteoarthritis.
Paired with common additions, like ginger and turmeric, bitters can become an immune-boosting powerhouse.
The anti-inflammatory compounds in these ingredients have powerful antioxidant effects to protect the body from autoimmune diseases.
Bitters for immune function and inflammation
- Oregon grape
- barberry
- angelica
- chamomile
Sugar and appetite control benefits
Curb sugar cravings quickly with the help of bitters, which help counter the brain receptorsTrusted Source that drive us to consume sweets.
Bitters can promote overall healthy eating habits and control overeating Trusted Source. Consuming bitter foods stimulates the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones, which help control and suppress the appetite Trusted Source.
Bitters for sugar and appetite control

- artichoke leaf
- citrus peel
- licorice root
- gentian root
Liver health benefits
Certain bittering agents help support the liver at fulfilling its main job: removing toxins from the body and regulating our metabolic processes.
Bitters give the liver a boost by aiding in the elimination of toxins and detoxification, coordinating the metabolism of sugar and fats, and helping release gallbladder-supporting hormones like cholecystokinin (CCK).
Bitters for sugar and appetite control
- artichoke leaf
- silymarin
- dandelion root
- chicory root
Common bittering agents and aromatics and what they can be used for
Bittering agents
- Dandelion root is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce inflammationTrusted Source.
- Artichoke leaf contains the flavonoid silymarinTrusted Source, a powerful liver protectant, and has been shown to help liver cells regenerateTrusted Source (in mice).
- Chicory root aids in digestion and bowel functionTrusted Source and can help regulate blood sugar.
- Gentian root contains cancer-fightingTrusted Source compounds and is used to relieve indigestion, loss of appetite, and heartburn.
- Wormwood aids in overall digestion and can help increase appetiteTrusted Source.
- Licorice root is anti-inflammatory, boosts the immune systemTrusted Source, and can soothe digestive issues.
- Wild cherry bark boosts the immune system and is shown to have an anti-proliferative effectTrusted Source on colon cancer cells.
- Burdock root is an antioxidant powerhouse that detoxes the blood and helps remove toxins.
- Black walnut leaf contains tannins which aid in inflammationTrusted Source and is considered beneficial to skin health.
- Devil’s club root is used as a treatmentTrusted Source for respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal issues.
- Angelica root is used for heartburn, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, and improved circulationTrusted Source.
- Sarsaparilla can improve overall liver function (as shown in rats) and has positive effects on certain skin conditionsTrusted Source and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Other bittering agents may include:
- Oregon grape root
- mugwort
- orris root
- calamus root
- barberry root
- cinchona bark
- horehound
- quassia bark
The side effects of Swedish bitters
The side effects of taking Swedish bitters that are important to know:
- If you have liver or stomach disease, you should avoid alcohol.
- Taking Swedish bitters before, during and after Candida treatment is possible, but do not take Swedish bitters for too long. Consult a doctor for precise guidelines.
- Depletion of potassium levels may also be a possible side effect that can lead to high blood pressure. However, if the bitterness is taken in small amounts and for about 2 weeks at a time, this side effect can be avoided.
- Swedish bitter can also cause dehydration (especially in children), uterine bleeding and miscarriage in pregnant women. It is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 12 years and ulcers.
- Do not use Swedish bitters if you have abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or if you have diarrhoea
FAQs list
1.What are the health benefits of Swedish Bitters ?
Answer : When ingested internally, it can be beneficial for:
• Gastric tract
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Hay fever
• Emphysema
• Constipation
• Fatigue
2.What are the benefits of bitter leaf juice to the skin?
Answer : The bitter leaf contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and irritation. Incorporating bitter leaf into your skincare routine can be a simple and affordable way to achieve healthy and glowing skin.
3.What is the function of Swedish Bitters?
Answer : Bitters are an important class of botanicals that help support efficient digestive, assimilative, and eliminative functions. The primary function of Swedish Bitters is to help with digestive complaints like bloating, flatulence, sluggish digestion and constipation.
4.What does bitters do to the skin?
Answer : Bitter substances can thus be used in a targeted manner to activate the skin’s metabolism and promote the skin’s regeneration process. This has proven particularly useful for skin diseases such as neurodermatitis. Particularly Bitter substances are suitable for stimulating the keratinocytes.