About Swedish Bitters

In this day and age, because we don’t have the time to eat as well as we should, have poor nutrition or an unhealthy lifestyle, we often have issues with our digestion. The most common problems associated with the digestive tract issues are diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and heartburn.

To this extent, Swedish Bitters promises to deliver a combination of herbs that promote secretion of pancreatic and gastric juices, soothe the digestive tract and even claims to break down dietary fat and clear cholesterol out of our body – without any known major side effects.

All you need to do is mix dry Swedish Bitters herbs with vodka, fruit or grain brandy, leave the mixture in the dark place for about 20 days and take 1-2 teaspoons daily on a consistent basis 30 minutes before each meal for about 2-3 month, but it’s not for long-term use. People claim to experience a “change in digestion” as soon as your first day of use, with “dramatic” results after 2-3 weeks.

So, if you’re looking to improve your digestion, Swedish Bitters certainly seems like the way to go. Here’s what we learned during our research:

Is Swedish Bitters Effective for Digestion?

According to Swedish Bitters’ product label, the supplement contains:

1. Angelica archangelica (Angelikawurz in German) — commonly known as garden angelica, Holy Ghost, wild celery, and Norwegian angelica.
2. Aloe Vera — also know as Aloe Barbadensis.
3. Lycopodium (Bärlappe in German) — also known as ground pines or creeping cedar.
4. Pimpinella (Bibernelle in German) — is a plant genus in the family Apiaceae.
5. Carlina acaulis (Eberwurz in German) — is a perennial dicotyledonous flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to alpine regions of central and southern Europe.
6. Veronica officinalis(Ehrenpreiskraut in German) — is a species of Veronica, native to Europe and western Asia.
7. Althaea (Eibischwurz in German) — is a genus of 6−12 species of perennial herbs native to Europe and western Asia.
8. Gentiana lutea (Enzianwurz in German) — is a plant native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Other names include ‘yellow gentian‘, ‘bitter root‘, ‘bitterwort‘, ‘centiyane‘ and ‘genciana‘.
9. Acorus calamus (Kalmus in German) — can also be called Sweet Flag or Calamus, among many other names. It’s a tall perennial wetland monocot of the Acoraceae family, in the genus Acorus.
10. Cinnamomum camphora(Kampfer in German) — most known as camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel. Large evergreen tree, native to China south of the Yangtze River, Taiwan, southern Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
11. Kandis — Rock Candy. If you are Diabetic, you can eliminate Kandis from your Swedish Bitters elixir mix.
12. Viscum album (Mistelkraut in German) — a type of mistletoe, known as European mistletoe, common mistletoe or simply as mistletoe (Old English mistle). It is native to Europe and western and southern Asia.
13. Commiphora (Myrrhe in German) — is a species-rich genus of flowering plants in the frankincense and myrrh family.
14. Juglandaceae (Nusskaben in German) — known as the walnut family, is a family of trees.
15. Rhubarb (Rhabarberwurz in German) — also can be known as Rheum rhabarbarum and Rhei radix is a plant in the family Polygonaceae. Rhubarb is usually considered a vegetable.
16. Safflower (Saflor in German) — also can be known as Carthamus tinctorius. It’s a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant.
17. Senna (Sennesblätter in German) – Comes from Arabic name — sanā. Also knows as sennas. It’s a large flowering plant in the legume family of Fabaceae and the subfamily of Caesalpinioideae. Sennae folium is considered an herb, leaves and the fruit of the plant are used to make medicine. Senna is also the FDA-approved nonprescription laxative.
18. Ginkgo (Gingoblätter in German) — Also know as Ginkgo biloba and known as the maidenhair tree. Many years ago, leaves from the Ginkgo biloba tree been used as a treatment in Chinese medicine. The ginkgo supplements help to improve memory and sharpen thinking. Many people use Ginkgo to improves blood flow to the brain. Ginkgo can as well acts as an antioxidant.
19. Theriaca (Therriak in German) — also know as Theriac, Andromachi theriaca, it’s considered to be an antidote against venom.
20. Potentilla erecta (Tormentil in German) — also known as Common Tormentil, Potentilla Laeta, Potentilla tormentilla, tormentil or septfoil. It’s a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the rose family. Potentilla erecta for a long time is known as a remedy in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammations, wounds, and gastrointestinal disorders. Some people make a tea out of potentilla and use it as a tea for diarrhea. Women take it for premenstrual syndrome, know as(PMS) and for mildly painful menstrual periods.
21. Artemisia absinthium(Wermutkraut in German) — also know as absinthium, absinthe wormwood, wormwood, common wormwood, green ginger or grand wormwood, is a species of Artemisia, native to temperate regions of Eurasia and Northern Africa.
22. Curcuma zedoaria (Zitwerwurz in German) — also know as Zedoariae rhizoma, zedoary, white turmeric or kentjur, is a member of the genus Curcuma, family Zingiberaceae and is a native to India and Indonesia.

Swedish Bitters is a traditional European Herbal Extract traditionally used for digestion, although this statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and most of the Swedish Bitters makers state that this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Aloe – Aloe is a laxative and vermifuge (expels worms and parasites) that soothes the lining of the entire digestive tract. It also calms and cools burns, sunburns, wounds, and insect bites.

Not for use in children under 18 years of age. Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or when nausea or vomiting are present unless recommended by a healthcare professional if you notice a sudden change in bowel habits that persist over 2 weeks, have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble such as abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice. Rectal bleeding or failure to move bowels after use may indicate a serious condition. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

Finally, Swedish Bitters main benefit in its bitterness level is often touted as providing a wide range of benefits for digestion, although there is insufficient scientific evidence supporting these claims.

Swedish Bitters Side Effects

As with most nutritional supplements, even though many Swedish Bitters’ ingredients may not provide the benefits claimed by the manufacturer, they should be well tolerated by most individuals.

However the Swedish Bitters may cause the side effects, they should resolve itself over the course of a couple days and keeping the use of Swedish Bitters strictly to the recommended dose is unlikely to produce any side effects.

Side-effects:

• Not recommended for pregnant women.
• Not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
• Not recommended in the case of ulcers.
• The possible laxative effect when using Swedish Bitters.
• Swedish Bitters contain berberine that is present in Oregon Grape root and Goldenseal. This plant is an alkaloid and can potentially damage your intestinal lining if taken for too long.
• Depletion of potassium levels can also be a possible side effect that can lead to high blood pressure.
• Swedish Bitters can also cause dehydration.
• Do not use Swedish Bitters if you experience abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or if you have or developed diarrhea.
• Angelica root – may cause hormonal imbalances in children, skin sensitivities – especially for people with psoriasis with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Senna – may cause abdominal cramping.

What customers say about Swedish Bitters?

Swedish Bitters is a very popular and well-known remedy since it was rediscovered by Maria Treben an Austrian author and herbalist who came to fame in the 1980s for her books, which remarkably run out of over eight million copies. There are thousands of reviews for this product on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other online stores, and about 90% of all customers give a 5-star review for Swedish Bitters effectiveness in helping those that have digestion problems. Here are some of the many verified customers’ reviews and testimonies:

• This supplement has done me a world of good. I have suffered from weak digestion for many years. A small sip of Swedish bitters before each meal makes a noticeable difference in the speed and comfort of my digestion. And when I foolishly eat too much, a big sip almost magically relieves most of that uncomfortable bloated feeling.
• I didn’t know what to expect from this Swedish Bitters potion when I first started taking it. I’ve been exposed to black mold for several years without knowing it and this treatment with Swedish Bitters helped to make two particular symptoms disappear. One of them was night time anxiety- I would wake up in the middle of the night worrying about stuff that was no worry in the daytime. The other one was a loss of dexterity – I felt like I was in a mental fog and my hands lost the ability to grasp properly and I was dropping things if I weren’t careful. After taking a course in this treatment both of these symptoms disappeared. I am as well taking it on as needed basis to deter cold or flu, and it seems to be very helpful as I think it is boosting my metabolism. I take a sip as soon as I get first symptoms and I can say it’s been pretty effective for that as well as I usually only have to do it once and avoid being sick due to cold symptoms.
• I am definitely surprised at how effective this is. I purchased this after a desperate search for some alternative medicine to help with psoriasis, and this was mentioned as part of a liver cleanse. It’s far too early to tell if it is helping with my skin, but I am also lactose intolerant, and typically I consume ginger in tea every day to mitigate the sensitivity. Lately, however, that has been getting less effective, and symptoms have been getting worse, to the point I was about to go see a doctor to see if something else was wrong, as I was consuming almost no dairy. However, about a week after I started taking this daily, all symptoms are gone!
• This product is remarkable!
• I have many problems in my intestine, colitis, very easy to get diarrhea and makes a lot of gas which is very embarrassing. After taking this bitter,
  diarrhea & gas stopped! What a relief. I have to take this rest of my life.
• I can’t say enough about this product. I will never be without my Swedish Bitters. My dog has bone cancer in his jaw and I used it to help shrink the tumor. He was only going to live for three months, it is now a year and he is doing great. I am so impressed and so is my vet.
• I have made the Swedish Bitters from these herbs and found them to be excellent. My son and I take Swedish Bitters daily and using this product are so much more cost effective than buying bottles of pre-made Swedish Bitters. Plus by using this product you have the leftover herbs when can also be used for healing purposes. I am very happy with these herbs.

Swedish Bitters Pricing and Refund Policy

The Swedish Bitters supplement is priced as follows:

• 1 Bag (About 90-days supply): $25
• 2 Bags: $45
• 4 Bags: $85
• 10 Bags: $200

All orders in the USA region come with free shipping.

All Swedish Bitters products come with a 14-days refund policy, the package needs to be unopened and the customer pays for the shipping cost.  

Can Swedish Bitters support Weight Management?

According to herbalist David Hoffmann in his book “The New Holistic Herbal” and some customer reviews, bitter taste of Swedish Bitters remedy prompts your digestive system to secrete juices, such as Hydrochloric Acid and Bile (which improves the digestion of your food). This goes into helping to break down fats as well as enhance nutrient absorption, which benefits weight management.

Swedish Bitters Ingredients

There are few different herbal mixes in Swedish Bitters remedy, they have all or some of the following herbs/ingredients:

Archangelica, Aloe Barbadensis, Lycopodiaceae, Pimpinella, Carlina acaulis, Veronicae herba, Althaea, Gentian lutea, Acorus calamus, Cinnamonum amphora, Kandis, Viscum album, Commiphora, Jugladaceae, Rhei radix, Carthamus tinctorius, Sennae folium, Ginkgo biloba, Theriaca, Potentilla erecta, Artemisia absinthium, Zedoariae rhizoma.

Where to Buy Swedish Bitters

There are many companies and individuals that sell already made or dry mix Swedish Bitters. Each mix can have different ingredients, some have an alcohol-based remedy, some non-alcoholic. This is why it’s important to know exactly what you need and want to buy. Here is a list of some of the companies that sell Swedish Bitters online:

www.wellbeingherbs.com

www.amazon.com

www.ebay.com

www.etsy.com

www.swedishbitters.shop

www.mariatreben.com

Who’s behind Swedish Bitters?

Swedish bitters have been popularized by the Austrian herbalist Maria Treben that examined Samst’s “old manuscript” which detailed the efficacy of the bitters on over 40 medical conditions. Maria Treben published the recipe of the mixture in her book “Health from God’s Pharmacy“, which remarkably run out of over eight million copies. Her specialty was herbal medicine and alternative treatment methods.

A Clinical, Scientific, and Empirical look at Swedish Bitters

How to make Swedish Bitters

There are two commonly known ways to make Swedish Bitters from the dry mix.

Traditional Maria Treben method:

• Place dry Swedish Bitters herbal mixture in a 2 litters (about 60 to 70 oz) dark bottle.
• Add 1.5 to 2.0 litters (about 60 to 70 oz) of 70 to 100 proof vodka, rye or fruit, cherry brandy or grain schnaps with 38-40% alcohol.
• Leave the lid open, so oxygen can enter the bottle, and leave it standing near the stove or any fairly warm area for 14 – 20 days, but the longer it stands the more effective it becomes.
• Shake bottle gently twice a day.
• After about 14 days, the mixture can be strained, poured into smaller bottles and stored in a cool place.

A method commonly used and suggested by many Swedish Bitters makers:

• Open bag with Swedish Bitters herbs and place in a glass container.
• Add 1.75 to 2.00 litters (about 60 to 70 oz) of vodka, fruit or grain brandy, stir and close the airtight lid of the glass container.
• Leave your mixture in the dark place from 14 to 30 days or more (the longer the Swedish Bitters mixture sits, the more potent it will be) shaking or stirring daily.
• After 14 to 30 days or more, drain the liquid elixir in a separate clean container (preferably glass container) through a strainer and store it in a cool, dark place.
• Swedish Bitters are suitable for consumption for up to 36 months from the date of preparation. It’s recommended that the balm is stored in a cool place for up to 3 years.

How to Use Swedish Bitters

Internal Use:

It is recommended to take a teaspoon of Swedish Bitters 2 – 3 times daily mixed with a glass of tea, juice or water 30 minutes before a meal. 

External Use: 

• The treated skin should first be carefully greased with marigold or calendula ointment so that there will be no irritation to the skin from Swedish Bitters.
• Soak a cotton ball in Swedish Bitters and apply it to the area that needs a treatment, disposing of a used cotton piece after each application, to avoid the contamination.
• Applied Swedish Bitters can be left on the treated skin for 2 – 4 hours or even all night, depending on the symptoms. If your skin is sensitive and irritable, leave Swedish Bitters ointment on the treated area of the skin for a shorter period of time. 

Published by Wellbeing Herbs