- Kenneth H. Blanchard
My Daily Digestive Bitters (DDB) Formula
judsoncarroll4
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My Daily Digestive Bitters (DDB) Formula
Here is my DDB: Before each meal, I have a small sip (half a shot glass or so) of these pretty, orange colored Bitters.
This regimen has improved my digestion, allergies, asthma and helps me better enjoy meals. The inspiration for these Bitters is Angostura, but I wanted Bitters that were more potent medicinally and far less sweet. They are still nice in a cocktail though, and just a few drops really perks up a glass of iced tea.
The formula is:
1/2 ounce ground Gentian Root
1/2 ounce ground Oregon Grape Root
The peel of 3 Mandarin Oranges
1 Cinnamon Stick
1 Star Anise
4-6 Cloves
1 chunk of Ginger
1 bottle vodka
Put your herbs and spices in a large jar, pour the vodka over. Store in a dark cabinet and shake daily.
I let the herbs and spices steep in the vodka until the citrus peels sank to the bottom and turned dull in color, 3-4 weeks.
These Bitters are not sweet, but the spices and citrus mellows the sharpness of the bitterness. I've become very fond of them. Before I began taking these bitters, I would have an asthma attack after most meals, indigestion and gas pains. Sometimes, I would take one bite of food and it wouldn't go down... I would end up running to the bathroom and throwing up! That is NOT FUN. That has not happened since I began using the Bitters. A small sip of these Bitters made my life much better. They also enhance my sense of taste and make meals more enjoyable.
ENJOY!
Comments
I'm wondering about gentian and Oregon grape root, not things I've heard of in the "land down under". Please point me in the right direction.
Sure:
@judsoncarroll4 This looks delicious!!! I have all the ingredients except the mandarin peels. I will see about getting some next time I am in town. But I do have dried orange peel so maybe I could use that if there are no mandarins yet. Oregon Grape Root is my next harvest project. I may use brandy just because I like the taste better. I think the tannins from an alcohol that has been aged in oak adds to bitters. But just my opinion.
@jodienancarrow I think there is a species of gentian that grows in Australia. You could grow some in your garden; very pretty flowers. Oregon Grape Root is widely used in landscape plantings so maybe you can find some at a garden centre. The jelly made from the very sour berries is amazing. Best jelly ever! A quick search just found this: https://www.allrareherbs.com.au/product/oregon-grape-plant/ I would encourage you to get a plant (or two or three). It is one of my top herbs for several conditions. I always have it on hand and recommend it to many of my clients. You can purchase the dried root until your plants are big enough to part with bits of root.
Oregon Grape is one of my go-to herbs for any infection. I had a really nasty toenail that I treated at home (ready to go get antibiotics if I developed red streaks or a fever). I took 1 dropper of tincture 4 times a day, and squirted it on my toe each time as well. It was amazing how well it worked!
It grew all over the place in the Seattle area, so I always had some on hand. The dried root bark works, too, for tinctures, but I don't think it's as strong.
I think brandy would be better... I may try that next time. It will definitely give a hint of sweetness that most people would prefer.
That is impressive. @torey mentioned its antiseptic properties, but I've never tried it.
I just decanted my orange bitters today, thanks to @judsoncarroll4 's inspiration. The yarrow is still going and I'm planning on making yarrow bitters as well, but I want to put a stone fruit in it and haven't figured out which one yet.
While my bitters are fairly simple and don't have the gentian or oregon grape root, I'm hoping they'll help my tummy. The last few weeks I've apparently become superstressed, and this always manifests itself in feeling sick after I eat, no matter what I eat.
I used to be able to get white brandy for all my tinctures and mixtures; it made the flavors a little bit nicer. Haven't seen that in a while though. This time around I'm using Icelandic Vodka and Polish Potato Vodka.
That sounds wonderful. I have been toying with the idea of bitters for awhile but none of the recipies appealed to me. This sounds lovely. I have alot of digestive issues myself. I started drinking an herbal tea created by one of my herbal mentors and I find that has been a real blessing. I don't suffer with the cramps and issues I had before I started with the tea. But I had my gallbladder out many years ago so anything I can do to help promote digestion is a bonus. Thanks for sharing!
What size bottle of vodka do you use?
Several of these herbs I have used before but usually solo. Thank you for this recipe.
Approximately one 5th for every ounce of herbs.
@judsoncarroll4 do you strain the spices and rind after 4 weeks?
Yep!
@judsoncarroll4 & @torey thank you for the great info. I'll be sure to look out for Oregon Grape plants.
Look for barberry in your area... anything in the berberidaceae family .