Product Details

Chinese Bitters

One 250 mL (8½ fl oz) bottle

Julia Chang's original "Chinese Bitters" formula. Since she created Chinese Bitters, it has been imitated many times, but her formulation of Chinese Gentian, Scutellaria, Atractylodes, and Bupleurum remains the original.

The liver performs many important functions in the body, including the detoxification, filtering, regulating and storage of blood. It is also important in the process of metabolizing food, and in the regulation of hormones. Our Chinese Bitters tincture strengthens the liver, to help it perform these functions.

Ingredients: Chinese Gentian, Scutellaria, Atractylodes, Bupleurum

Directions: take ½ to 1 teaspoonful (about 5 mL) once daily on an empty stomach in the morning.

The primary ingredient of Chinese Bitters is Chinese Gentian, also known as Long Dan Cao, Gentianae Radix, or Bitterwort. In Chinese medicine, Gentian is used to "decongest the liver and gallbladder"[1].

The second ingredient of Chinese Bitters is Scutellaria, also known as Huang Qin, Baikal Skullcap, or Scutellaria Baicalensis. In traditional Chinese medicine, Huang Qin is believed to "clear heat", particularly in the abdomen[2].

The third ingredient of Chinese Bitters is Atractylodes, also known as Bai Zhu or Atractylodis Radix. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to nourish and strengthen the stomach and spleen[3].

Since Chinese Bitters is a tincture, the only other ingredients are ethyl alcohol and distilled water.

Cautions

Because Chinese Gentian may stimulate flow of certain digestive juices, Chinese Bitters is not recommended for people who have stomach ulcers. Also, while Chinese Bitters is not as powerful as a drug or medication, it can still have a strong effect, so it is not recommended to take it for prolonged periods of time. We recommend that you take at least a 1 week break once a month, and that you not take it if you are pregnant or lactating.

If you experience a headache, you may be sensitive to some of the herbs contained in Chinese Bitters, or you may be experiencing a "detoxification" reaction. If that happens, you should try taking a much smaller amount next time (like 1/8 teaspoon). Over time, it is possible that you may be able to increase the amount without experiencing that reaction.

References

1. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica 3rd Edition, D Bensky & S Clavey & E Stöger, Eastland Press 2004, pp.141-144.
2. Ibid, pp.131-134.
3. Ibid, pp.726-729.