Of all the herbs in common use, bitters have the most storied history.
The Germans swear by them to aid in digestion. Author Ernest Hemingway famously used them mixed with Vermouth.
According to the University of California's Berkeley Wellness letter, the term bitters would traditionally describe an alcohol-based extract of leaves, flowers, bark, or roots of bitter-tasting plants. Two of the most famous bitters, Angostura and Peychaud's, date back to the 1800s and are a frequent addition to cocktails. In modern days, bitters are classified as herbal supplements and are typically taken by the dropper as a remedy for digestive issues.
Many believe that the bitter taste helps trigger taste receptors in the mouth, which in turn help increase production of saliva, stomach and pancreatic enzymes, bile, and gastrointestinal hormones, according to Wellness.
Germany's version of the FDA has approved bitters as a treatment for relieving gas and nausea and for appetite promotion.
However, there is some research that suggests bitters could be harmful to those with acid reflux or ulcers and can interfere with some medications. Some theorize that a particular variety, gentian bitters, might lower blood pressure as well.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
