Swedish bitters

I'd been drinking this as a tea today, I totally and completely and utterly think it's...bitter to say the least ! And I'm being kind.
This is not funny especially I am not a tea fan, I only drink if obliged. I know it has fantastic benefits but I am just not that into drinking tea...
The only two times I drank tea like serious, medical need mode was few years back as a detox, 2l a day of a special plant mixture and now, this swedish bitter tea, given  by my homeopathic doctor.
All in all, as I like to know as much as possible, always hungry for information and knowledge, I googled after reading the pack and hmm, I like what I found out so I dare say, let's remember all of us about swedish bitters and learn some more about it !

The Swedish bitters original formula is believed to go back to ancient Babylon and Egypt, but was first attributed to Paracelsus, a Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer and general occultist.
The recipe then circulated throughout the Middle Ages until the 18th Century, when Jonathan Samst a Swedish doctor blended the mixture of herbs that we now know as Swedish Bitters.
The recipe was subsequently abandoned until the 20th century, when the Austrian botanist Maria Treben reintroduced it.

Ingredients of Swedish bitters (  alcoholic / non-alcoholic):

• angelica root ( the most important)
• carline thistle root
• camphor
• manna
• myrrh
• rhubarb root
• saffron
• senna leaves
• theriac venetian
• zedoary root

Extended upto 22 ingredients : 

• archangelica, aloe barbadensis, lycopodiaceae, pimpinella, carlina acaulis, veronicae herba, althaea, gentian lutea, acorus calamus, cinnnamonm amphora, kandis, viscum album, commiphora, juglandaceae, rhei radix, carthamus tinctorius, sennae folium, ginkgo biloba, theriaca, potentilla erecta, artemisia absinthium, zedoariae rhizoma.

And if you managed not to get bored in the middle and skip altogether the names of the plants  let me congratulate you on your fine latin !  Ok! No need to feel regrets and go and read them again.  :D

So, bitter substances have almost been completely eliminated from the modern diet and this elimination has caused some disturbance with our bodies digestive system. Bitter substances have the ability to improve kidney and liver function, improve bile, reduce bloating and flatulence, improve metabolism and prevent acidification of the body.

This herb mixture has a wonderful healing power. Benefits :

• promotes biliary, pancreatic and gastric secretion
• disinfects intestinal tract
• soothes digestive tract
• relieves bloating, flatulence, gas, cramps and nausea
• promotes appetite
• restores natural acid balance in the stomach
• stimulates liver function
• gentle laxative
• anti-anemic
• treats rheumatic pains. Drops taken morning and evening and moistened cloth applied to the aching parts
• general detox
• helps in recovery after illnesses
• helps in normal functioning of respiratory system
• maintains normal concentration of cholesterol and fats in the blood
• stops the early aging 
• reduces exhaustion
• promotes vitality
• tonifies and regenerates
• when used externally alleviates inflammations of all kinds if applied on spots, wounds, cuts, bruises, scars and contusions

Caution : is very bitter, yes, if taste is unbearable, you can try and dilute in a warm infusion or with fruit juice, but ideally, it's best taken alone.

Side effects : keeping strictly to the recommended dose is unlikely to produce any side effects. Not recommended for pregnant women or children under 12 and in the case of ulcer. Do not use if you experience abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or if you have developed diarrhoea.

Internal : dilution can be done with hot or cold tea, juice or water to avoid irritation of the stomach, one tablespoon per cup of tea or warm water. For optimum results you should drink it 30 minutes before meals. For well being drink one cup morning, one in the evening.

External : moisten a cotton ball and apply to designated area. Keep compression overnight if possible.

I'm going to list here the ingredients of my bitter swedish tea for anyone interested or curious : angelica, milk thistle, burdock, cardamom, caraway, thyme , coriander, clove, fennel, European ash, bay laurel, English marigold, stemless gentian, spiny cocklebur, lemongrass, juniper, marjoram, chamomile, rosemary, senna, Bethlehem, birdweed, european centaury, common nettle and ginger. 

I'm wishing you now a nice evening or day wherever you are and a "let's get bitter"  !

Health is attained step by step. With mindfulness.