The bitter flavor assists digestion by stimulating the digestion juices, and also the vagus nerve. Bitter has a downward-directing quality and supports the proper descent of Stomach Qi. I use Herb Pharm’s Better Bitters spray on my tongue before meals to prime my digestive process and signal my body to be ready to receive nourishment.
For patients who present with mild digestive stagnation, or signs of damp or heat accumulation, this simple practice can be a helpful adjunct to acupuncture and dietary therapy. I’ve had feedback that just adding bitters has made a noticeable difference in their digestive function.
Herb Pharm’s Better Bitters features herbs such as gentian, artichoke, and burdock—each contributing to the bitter profile that stimulates digestive function. Bitter herbs clear heat by moving it down and out, and cut through dampness which can clog digestion. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, these herbs encourage the smooth flow of Qi in the middle burner, supporting the Spleen’s transformative role and the Stomach’s descending function.
In TCM, healthy digestion is at the root of overall vitality. When the Spleen and Stomach systems are functioning harmoniously, we efficiently transform food into Qi and Blood. It’s the main way we get energy.
Better Bitters formula also contains ginger, anise and orange peel, which in addition to aiding digestion, also add a nice balanced flavor, which I prefer over other bitter combinations that I’ve tried. I also appreciate that it comes in a spray, so I can spray it right in the middle of my tongue, which is where the bitter taste buds are located (towards the back).
Stimulating the tongue with bitter also awakens the vagus nerve. In today’s fast-paced world—marked by rushed meals, stress, and irregular eating habits—the digestive system is often taxed, leading to patterns such as dampness, bloating, and sluggish digestion. Our nervous systems are often stressed and we spend a lot of our day in a ‘fight or flight’ sympathetic state. When the vagus nerve is turned on, it signals the nervous system to be in a ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic state, which benefits digestion. Bitters is one way to signal the body to relax and be ready to receive nourishment.
Taken just before meals, bitters can act as a gentle signal to the body—awakening digestion, promoting enzyme secretion, and supporting a more mindful connection to eating.
Better Bitters brings the therapeutic benefits of bitter flavor into a modern, accessible format. It’s a small ritual that aligns beautifully with TCM’s emphasis on balance, awareness, and supporting the body’s natural rhythms. Pick some up in our office today!