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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.
Among their many benefits is their much-touted ability to stimulate digestive function. These dandy-orange bitters are no exception. They make a great all-purpose bitter that's traditionally been used to support normal digestion and is also quite handy as a bitter for mixed drinks!
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.
Bitters can also improve acid reflux by improving the stomachs ability produce acid, the underlying cause to acid reflux and heartburn. Liver support: Herbal bitters can also help to support liver function. The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body and producing bile, which aids in digestion.
Dandelions are bitter because of a class of water soluble chemicals called sesquiterpenes. The key to enjoying dandelions is understanding how to work with these chemicals to minimize their impact on your taste buds. Sesquiterpenes are part of the milky juice that runs throughout the dandelion plant.
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.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, plan on using 50% bitter ingredients and 50% aromatics (see below), accented with a small amount of dried fruit peel. Grind, grate or crack open any ingredient that needs more exposure to infuse properly (i.e., cardamom pods or peppercorns).
Because of the gut-brain connection, not only can bitters enhance digestion, but they can reduce depression and improve mood. They also support your liver's natural detoxification processes, and thus can improve skin health.
“They may also provide support for liver function. Digestive bitters can help the liver's natural detoxifying activities. Bitters can relieve bloating, gas, cramping, nausea, heartburn, and other digestive discomforts.”
You can also be allergic to the herbs used in bitters. 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.
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.
However, consuming bitters when you don't have digestive issues may actually lead to digestive problems. This includes acid reflux, nausea and an upset stomach. So digestive bitters shouldn't be casually added to your daily routine if you don't need any relief from digestive distress.
Mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart (950 mL) of water, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the dandelions with this solution to sap away their moisture. The heads of the dandelions will wilt and die off soon.
If you prefer bitter herbs, it may not need anything at all. It has a natural, earthy flavor. If you prefer sweeter drinks, you can add milk, honey, or cream. Alternatively, you can enjoy dandelion root coffee, which is easy to dress up or down as your favorite swap for coffee.
All parts of plant are edible, though the leaves and the flowers are the most delicious. Because the greens are quite bitter, they are often paired with ingredients that temper the bitter bite.
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.
You can drink dandelion tea every day. “Recommendations are two to three times a day,” says Geib. “Start your day with a cup of dandelion root tea and build it up slowly. Its diuretic properties can increase urination, so go gentle and let your body adjust to it first.”
2. Supports liver health. Dandelion tea has been used to promote liver function in holistic medicine for centuries, Kim says. Preliminary studies show this may be due to dandelion's ability to increase the flow of bile, which helps detox the liver and relieve symptoms of liver disease, Kim says.
You need enough stomach acid to digest food properly, and taking bitters before a meal can help boost acid production. Similarly, bitters may help those who have cramping and bloating by relaxing the bowel muscles. Digestive bitters and other digestive enzyme supplements are also often used to help prevent dysbiosis.
Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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