DIY Ginger Yellow Dock Digestive Bitters

Jump start your digestive system and improve your health with these DIY Ginger Yellow Dock Digestive Bitters!

Just so you know, I’m NOT a doctor. Everything I say here is what I’ve learned from personal experience and research. Do your own research, and if you’re still unsure, please contact a holistic doctor, natropath, or herbalist. 🙂

A sweet ‘n salty problem.

I’ve been told, many many times, that I have a sweet tooth. While I might disagree (I have a chocolate tooth, not a sweet tooth!), I do think this is something quite a few people deal with. In fact, you might say that sweet tooths (er, teeth) are somewhat of an epidemic among those who eat a standard diet.

Did you know the average American consumes 82 grams of sugar every day? That’s over 1/3 cup a day! If you do the math, that come out to about 66 pounds of sugar a year, per person!

Sweet foods aren’t the only types we love, though. I know just as many people who need their salty chips, pretzels, and the like. But one type of food you don’t hear people loving on… bitter food.

The benefits of bitters.

Did you know that bitter foots actually help to kick your digestive system into gear? They have been used for centuries to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and improve the function of your digestive organs. If you’re struggling with tummy issues, poor digestion, gas (er, tooting, as my kids say), etc., you might want to give digestive bitters a try.

Digestive bitters work in your body to help it more efficiently absorption nutrients. Their bitter flavor also helps regulate your blood sugar by decreasing sugar cravings and helping you feel more full. And sorry, it won’t work to take them in a capsule. You actually need to taste the bitter flavor to get the good juices going!

Yellow dock.

Though there are quite a few options when it comes to bitter herbs for digestion, I like to use what I have on hand, which just happens to be yellow dock.

Before I moved down to the south from Montana, I had no idea what yellow dock was. But lo and behold, my back yard is literally covered with the stuff in the springtime! And I’m glad do have it in abundance. 

Not only does yellow dock stimulate the digestive enzymes and stomach acids, it works as a gentle laxative by stimulating the flow of bile (yep, it helps you poo). It also effectively eliminates toxins your body is collecting in the liver, gallbladder, and bloodstream. And besides these health benefits, yellow dock can help treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, which people with digestive issues are more susceptible to.

Just FYI, consuming yellow dock leaves has the potential of causing diarrhea in some people, due to its oxalic acid content. If you suffer from kidney stones, you shouldn’t use yellow dock. If you have any nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain after taking yellow dock, please stop taking it! For more info on the safety of yellow dock please read this article on yellow dock. And remember, like everything, moderation is your friend.

Ginger.

Ginger has been one of my favorite roots for a while now, and not just because I love the way it tastes or because I happen to have red hair. It can help with all sorts of digestive issues, like bloating and constipation, by relaxing the smooth muscle in your gut lining and help your food finish its journey through your intestines to the end of your digestive system.

While ginger helps ease your digestive system, it also pumps its anti-inflammatory benefits into your body, helps break down toxins built up in your organs, and helps cleanse your body’s lymphatic system (a.k.a. your body’s sewage system).

Side note: here are some of my favorite ginger recipes, if you want more of its delicious healthiness in your life:

• Honey Ginger Jello (suitable for GAPS intro stage 1)
• Fizzy Ginger Lemonade
• Ginger Banana Muffins

Do it yourself.

Even if you don’t have ginger and yellow dock sitting around, you should still give making your own digestive bitters a go. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to enhance your health by supporting your digestive system. Chamomile and dandelion would be easy-to-get bitters that would make a great tincture.

And if you’re not into tinctures (though you should be, they’re SO easy!) you could just pretend you’re a bunny and eat a few bitter greens 20 minutes or so before your meals. 😉

In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks! 😉

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Check out these other DIY home remedies!

• Honey Ginger Allergy Relief Tea
• Easy Immune Support Tincture
• Herbal, Immune-Boosting Sore Throat Tea