Get ready for the holiday season!
Most commonly used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, Herbal Bitters have been utilized since the 1700s. When doctor George Cheyne assembled a treatment for gout he called, the digestive bitters remedy. The original treatment consisted of a mixture of, Angelica Root, Horseradish, Wormwood, Alcohol, and Watercress.
The concoction eventually made a name for itself, being deemed a cure-all for a multitude of ailments, and through an odd series of events, wound up being picked up by bars to be sold as cocktails.
Modern Day Bitters
These days, though herbal bitters still contain active ingredients that may ease digestion, you’re more likely to see them on the menu of bars or pubs than at your local pharmacy. Classic drinks like the Old Fashion, Manhattan, and Martini all get their very distinctive flavor because of the small amounts of bitters that are added to the drink.
However, Herbal bitters are still widely used to help combat gastral discomfort, because of their innate ability to help the body produce higher levels of gastric juice. It also has the ability to aid in saliva production and quell appetite for some.
Home For the Holidays
One of the biggest highlights of the fall and winter holidays is the food. There’s no doubt about it, we’re going to eat… Probably more than we should indulge in. Having a nice, natural herbal bitters tincture on hand when your stomach finally raises the white flag might be just what you need to save yourself some gastro discomfort.
How It’s Done
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, now is the perfect time to get the ball rolling. Keep in mind you will be in the infusing process for about two weeks.
Materials:
· Mason jar (with tight-fitting lid)
· Herbs of choice
· Grain alcohol
· Mesh strainer
How To Make It:
1. Once you’ve gathered all of your dry ingredients in the mason jar, filling it about 1/3rd of the way, you may add in fruit at this time as well. Fresh orange peel or apples really improve the flavor.
2. Fill the rest of the jar with your grain alcohol, leaving about an inch of space free from the top.
3. Seal the jar with your tight-fitting lid and give it a shake. Shake it once a day throughout the infusion time.
4. Infuse for about 2 weeks.
5. Strain and enjoy.
Teatime
Check out these tasty teas to get inspiration for your next Herbal Bitters Tincture: