When it comes to your health, sweet may be good, but bitter is better. Here is what it can do:

Gentian is indeed the granddaddy of all bitters, next to which all other bitters are measured because it embodies the best principles attributed to herbs in the bitters category. Clinical and in vitro tests all confirm the ability of the root to stimulate the production of virtual every digestive enzyme, and yet it appears to be totally non-irritating on an empty stomach. Administration of gentian root seems to be most effective if it precedes mealtimes by about 30 minutes; however, it begins to work within 5 minutes of reaching the stomach and will continue to promote digestive processes for 2 to 3 hours.

Since one of the most common ailments of modern, sedentary man is hyperlipemia (lots of fat) associated with the postprandrial period (right after you eat) which is a harbinger of coronary heart disease, gentian can be most useful in contributing to the further digestion and breakdown of these fat during the postprandial period. Let’s repeat that. When you don’t exercise regularly, it is likely that dietary fats are not processed correctly during the first 2-3 hours after eating. Tiny fragments of those fats hang around during this time and can find their way into the lining of the artery where they become the focus of plaque build up. Because the activity of gentian extends into this period it can be instrumental in disposing of those fragments before they have a chance to harm the artery wall.

Another incredibly important tonic herb for the digestive tract is licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). I could go on for days writing about this great herb (and indeed you will discover that I will write about it in conjunction with just about every body system). Regarding the digestive system, licorice is a great soother and healer. Even though it can act as a very mild laxative when necessary, usually its activity centers on protecting and healing the lining of the digestive tract. It seems there are dozens of different kinds of inflammation that can attack the GI tract. You can use licorice to heal them all.

In the 1940’s it was experimentally established that the consumption of licorice root had a remarkable healing effect on ulcers. The story is one that nicely illustrates the complexities of research and the kind of mistakes that are often made in the study of tonic herbs. Once it was found that licorice could heal ulcers, the search was made for the active component. The search yielded something called glycyrritinic acid (GA). Subsequent application of GA did indeed help heal ulcers. But in about 20% of the cases, it also raised blood pressure. Drugs were built around the GA molecule and were hailed in medical circles as the first effective treatment of ulcers. Even to this day, you will find carbenoxolone sodium listed among effective ulcer treatments. Meanwhile, Eastern European researchers, displeased with 20% side effect statistic, revisited the crude licorice root extract. For some reason, they decided to investigate the activity of the stuff left over after the GA was removed. This stuff was called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). To their surprise, DGL was almost as effective in curing ulcers, as was GA, but without the side effects. Not much ever became of this line of research; today, DGL is only available in health food stores. Now comes the 64,000 dollar question. If both parts of licorice root are effective, why not use whole licorice root, or at worst, a crude extract of whole licorice root in the treatment of ulcers? Seems like this would be the best of all possible worlds. And perhaps more importantly, it would be true to the tonic concept. Research often goes astray like this. You would think that trained scientists would know better. Go figure. . .

The above paragraph brings to mind something that I often observe about herbal medicine. I remember one day that my lab assistant brought to me the most beautiful extract of chamomile you can imagine. Crystal clear. Marvelous color. Not an impurity to behold. He was very proud of his work. He was mortified to an equal degree when I told him I hated it. All that clarity said to me was that a whole bunch of good stuff had been subtracted out and what was left was undoubtedly devoid of true tonic activity. I see it all the time. Go to the store and look. Now hold up to the light a whatever-you-call-it of Jurak Classic Whole Body Tonic that has been sitting around awhile. See the ‘floaties?’ Those are good. That means the tonic qualities are there. Shake the what-ever-you-call-it and the medium is turbid, not crystal clear. See it? I have just introduced you to the secret principle of tonic extraction processes. Now go and enjoy.