Swedish bitters

NPN 80011367 NPN 80010605 NPN 80038634NPN 80038619

Bitters throughout history• The bitter taste in traditional diets: Jewish Passover meals, spring cleansing

teas and salads in Europe, First Nations of North America use of bitter roots in their diet

• Paracelsus and Hippocrates searched for an elixir of longevity over 2000 years ago; Paracelsus credited with creation of the first bitters formula

• Theriac or theriac venetian: a “cure-all” developed by the Greeks and used in medieval times consisting of a variety of roots, leaves, flowers, berries, seeds, resins and minerals

• Its preparation took months/years; closely guarded recipes sold in apothecaries to those who could afford them

• In the 18th century, Swedish Bitters was rediscovered by Swedish medics Dr. Claus Samst and Dr. Urban Hjärne

• In modern times, popularized by Maria Treben, an Austrian herbalist• Her formula gained tremendous popularity worldwide through her book

Health through God’s Pharmacy• Bitters have seen a renaissance in modern times as re-popularized cocktail

ingredients

Features and benefits• Two formulas: Maria’s Swedish Bitters and Original

Sweden Elixir

• Original Sweden Elixir Formula came from an old European formula called Jacobus Swedish Bitters

• Made in Canada, certified kosher, bottled in glass

• 39.4% alcohol from sugar cane (gluten free)

• Also available: non-alcohol (water) version for Maria’s formula and dry/home tincture version for Elixir formula

• Synergistic formulas from centuries of traditional use ensures an effective and balanced overall effect

• Bitter, laxative effects, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects, cooling, anti-microbial actions and warming, blood circulating effects for an overall tonic, strengthening effect on digestive health

• Stimulates digestive juices and appetite to ensure nutrient absorption

• Reduces gas and bloating and indigestion after large meals

How do bitters work?Bitters prime the upper digestive functions of the stomach, liver and pancreas via nerve reflex from the taste buds, stimulating the vagus nerve.This leads to a cascade of effects in the digestive system: • Secretion of saliva• Bile production in the liver• Bile release from the gallbladder• Production of stomach acid• Release of pancreatic hormones and enzymes• Peristalsis in the intestinesLeads to less indigestion, gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, etc.

Studies have shown that gastric secretion declines with age and is dramatically low in those 65 years and older.

Maria’s formula and herbs• Angelica is a warming, aromatic bitter that helps reduce gas

and cramping• Zedoary is a cousin of turmeric and stimulates bile and gastric

juices while providing antioxidant support• Aloe and senna are bitter, digestive herbs with some laxative

properties• Manna is the sap of a type of ash tree that has a soothing,

mild laxative effect• Rhubarb is a mild laxative due to its anthraquinones; this

bitter also helps to stimulate digestion• Myrrh is the air-dried resin of the Myrrh tree; it is

antimicrobial, carminative and immune stimulating. It also has healing, astringent and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Carline thistle is a bitter herb that stimulates gastric juices and helps to relieve indigestion

• Camphor is a warming, aromatic herb that has traditionally been used for a wide variety of stomach irritations

Maria’s formula and herbs• Valerian root does contain bitter principles but here

contributes a relaxing, anti-spasmodic effect to help soothe any cramping or intestinal distress

• Cinnamon is a well-known spice with aromatic properties useful in relieving digestive complaints like cramping, gas and bloating

• Cardamom is an aromatic, carminative herb that soothes and relaxes the intestines to help offset the laxative effects of senna, aloe and rhubarb to ensure there is no griping or intestinal cramping

• Saffron flower is an expensive and exotic spice long used in folk medicine around the world; it is antioxidant, blood-purifying, nerve calming and anti-spasmodic while enhancing the overall taste of the formula.

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Each tsp. (5 mL) contains:Angelica root (Angelica archangelica) 1:72 69.5 mg

Zedoary root (Curcuma zedoaria) 1:87 57.5 mg

Aloe leaf (Aloe ferox) 1:100 50 mg

Manna sap (Fraxinus ornus) 1:100 50 mg

Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum) 1:100 50 mg

Senna leaf (Cassia angustifolia) 1:100 50 mg

Myrrh resin (Commiphora molmol) 1:174 8.8 mg

Carline thistle root (Carlina acaulis) 1:200 25 mg

Camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora) 1:200 25 mg

Valerian root* (Valeriana officinalis) 1:666 7.5 mg

Cinnamon bark* (Cinnamomum verum) 1:666 7.5 mg

Cardamom seed* (Elettaria cardamomum) 1:1333 3.75 mg

Saffron flower* (Crocus sativus) 1:5000 1.0 mg

Recommended dose - Adults:Shake the bottle well before

using. Take 1 tsp. (5 ml) in water

or herbal tea, 3-4 times daily.

*Not found in the Elixir formula

Original Sweden elixir formula and herbs• Aromatic, carminative herbs like bitter orange, anise

and fennel soothe and relax the intestines to help offset the laxative effects of senna, aloe and rhubarb to ensure there is no griping or intestinal cramping

• Licorice is a soothing herb for inflammation of the GI tract, like gastritis

• Galangal is in the same family as ginger and is similarly spicy, anti-inflammatory and stimulating to digestion

• Gentian is one of the most bitter herbs available in herbal medicine. It helps to stimulate bile flow, relieve indigestion and nausea and stimulate appetite.

Each 5 mL (1 tsp.) contains:Aloe (Aloe ferox leaf) 23.5 mgAngelica (Angelica archangelica root) 23.5 mgManna (Fraxinus ornus sap) 23.5 mgRhubarb (Rheum palmatum root) 23.5 mgZedoary (Curcuma zedoaria root) 23.5 mgAnise* (Pimpinella anisum seed) 11.5 mgBitter orange* (Citrus aurantium peel) 11.5 mgCamphor (Cinnamomum camphora wood) 11.5 mgCarline thistle root (Carlina acaulis root) 11.5 mgFennel* (Foeniculum vulgare seed) 11.5 mgLicorice* (Glycyrrhiza glabra root) 11.5 mgSenna (Cassia angustifolia pod) 11.5 mgGalangal* (Alpinia officinarum root) 7 mgGentian* (Gentiana lutea root) 7 mgMyrrh resin (Commiphora molmol resin) 7 mg

Recommended Dose: Shake the bottle well before using. Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or health products. Take 2-3 times per week. If results are not observed, the frequency of use may be increased up to once daily.

Adults (For the relief of dyspepsia): Take 3-4 teaspoons once daily after a heavy meal.

Adults (For the relief of constipation): Take 3-4 teaspoons once daily at bedtime. Allow at least 6-12 hours for laxative effect to occur.

*Not found in Maria’s formula

Cautions and contra-indications• Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have kidney disorders, gallstones,

hemorrhoids, ulcers, irritable bowel conditions, bowel obstruction/inflammation, severe dehydration/electrolyte imbalance, if symptoms persist/worsen or if you are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae or Apiaceae/carrot family family

• Consult a health care practitioner if diarrhea, abdominal cramps, spasms and/or pain occur and for use as a laxative beyond one week

• Licorice cautions for Elixir formula: consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you 1) are taking thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, licorice root or other medications or health products which may aggravate electrolyte imbalance, 2) are taking cardiac medications such as cardiac glycosides or antiarrhythmic medications, or 3) have a kidney disorder

Formula differences• Anise, Fennel, Galangal, Gentian, Licorice and Bitter Orange peel are unique to the Original Sweden

Elixir formula

• Saffron, Valerian, Cinnamon and Cardamom are unique to Maria’s formula

• Original Sweden Elixir contains two more herbs than Maria’s formula, but Maria’s formula uses twice

the amount of herbal material by weight in the making of the tincture

• Maria’s has 425.55 mg in each 5 mL vs. 219 mg/5 mL in the Elixir

• The Elixir has more aromatic, carminative herbs like anise, fennel, angelica, and bitter orange than

Maria’s. These herbs reduce gas, bloating, and cramping after meals.

• Maria’s non-alcohol version needs refrigeration after opening and to be consumed within six weeks

• Alcohol is a better medium for extracting herbal constituents

• Dry, home-made version comes with instructions: use 750 mL vodka, glass bottle, shake daily for at

least eight days then strain

Quality control & manufacturing• Special step-by-step process involving macerating and

percolating herbs together in alcohol under low heat• Certain herbs are done together and then all of them

are added for the final formula• The finished tincture is tested for certain marker

compounds to guarantee potency and effectiveness• Herbs are tested and chosen to meet European

Pharmacopoeia standards for herbs• Tested for active ingredients, heavy metals, pesticides

and microbiologicals• Maria’s water-based version is made by 100 degrees

C decoction

Clinical research• Bitter constituents in herbs include varieties of

monoterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, iridoids, anthraquinones and alkaloids

• Early research on bitters found that they worked best for people who had sub-optimal digestion, needed to be taken in the presence of food and had to be tasted for full effect

• Bitters prime the upper digestive functions of the stomach, liver and pancreas via nerve reflex from the taste buds stimulating the vagus nerve

• Gentian and Wormwood studies in humans have confirmed that bitters do stimulate bile release from the gallbladder, bile production in the liver and secretion of saliva

• Studies have also shown that gastric secretion declines with age and is dramatically low in those 65 years and older

Clinical research• A 1987 study looked at Maria’s 13 herb formula specifically for its

therapeutic potential to improve gastric and intestinal health in adults

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 80 adults between the ages of 25 and 70

• Placebo was an active one with some traditional, digestive herbs • Dosage was 1 tbsp (15 mL) taken three times daily over the course

of 4 weeks• Swedish Bitters improved constipation by 40% over the placebo

results • For gastric symptoms (nausea, poor appetite, heartburn, bloated

feeling, indigestion) the treatment group improved by 64% vs. 40% for the placebo group

• For intestinal symptoms (gas, constipation, tension, cramping/intestinal spasm, hypermotility) the treatment group improved a dramatic 50% vs. just 2.6% in the placebo group

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