"Bitters ONLY work (to stimulate stomach acid) if they contact the tongue. The whole concept of bitters is that they will stimulate the tongue's bitter receptors, which in turn stimulates the vagus nerve. This in turn increases stomach acid, bile and enzyme release.
This requires actually tasting the bitterness though. When you take bitters in a capsule form the bitter receptors are not stimulated, so the vagus nerve is not stimulated and therefore it does not increase stomach acid, bile or enzymes."
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
So then it is good for my digestion that I open herb capsules and put the powder on my tongue... Thanks!
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
Thanks Canefan! Very sharp...yay!!!
There are different schools of thought about this in herbalism.
The one school says that the tongue receptor stimulation is key for results.
The other school says that the herbs will work even in absence of such direct tongue contact.
The proof is in the pudding. Your own body will tell you whether or not it is working.
Bitters stimulate bile flow from the liver, which breaks down fats and cholesterols, aids detox to some extent, and aids digestion in general.
The balance of it is key however. Too little bile will result in digestive stagnation. Too much of it will result in hyperacidity.
If you become hyperacidic after taking bitter herbs, stop taking them. They may not be for you.
The good news is that they can help to tonify the nervous system too over time. Much indicated in lyme.
Further reading: Natural Therapy for your Liver
Best wishes, CI ps thanks again for this Canefan, this is fantastic.
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Ya good points.
Don't think there are too many Lymies though who have to worry about hyper-acidity : )
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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