Composition and properties of Swedish bitters
In this preparation there is a significant amount of herbs, each of which with specific beneficial properties.
The basic ingredients among the most used for the preparation of Swedish bitters are:
Saffron (Crocus sativus): contains phytosterols, crocetin, carotenoids and picrocrocin glucoside. The active ingredients confer soothing, digestive and immunostimulant properties.
Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum): contains flavonoids, diantronic glycosides, tannins and anthraquinone glycosides such as aloemodin and emodin. Even when used in small doses it can have an astringent effect becoming a precious ally in case of diarrhea, however if it is used greater doses it may have laxative effects. Finally it proves a valid element for regulating digestion thanks to its antibacterial action." ?>
Angelica root (Angelica archangelica): contains tannins, xanthotoxin, angelicina, ostol and ostenol give the Swedish bitters digestive properties, antacids and expectorants.
Senna leaves (Cassia angustifolia oder Senna alexandrina): this plant contains flavonoids, anthracene derivatives such as sennosides and naphthalene derivatives. The properties derived from such substances are of laxative character, but can also be used for the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Camphor (Cinnamonum Camphora): Camphor is an active ingredient deriving from the Cinnamonum Camphora plant, that is used for its antibacterial properties and anesthetics.
Carline thistle root (Carlina vulgaris, Carlina acaulis):is a vegetable that contains tannins, essential oils, bitter substances and inulin. They have digestive, healing and antipyretic properties.
Myrr (Commiphora myrrha): contains phenols, cumin aldehyde, cinnemaldehyde, eugenol, sesquiterpenes and terpenes such as limonene and pinene. The power of myrrh involves beneficial actions related to the intestinal system, stimulating peristalsis and promoting the elimination of gas. Myrrh has antibacterial, antispasmodic and expectorant properties.
Zedoary root (Curcuma zedoaria): contains active ingredients such as curcuminoids, camphene and zingiberene. Its properties are antiseptics and it also proves to be an excellent antioxidant.
Manna (Fraxinus ornus): this substance is an extracted sap from the ash tree, contains sugars such as stachylose and mannitoe coumarin derivatives such as faxoside. From a beneficial point of view, manna is able to facilitate intestinal regularity.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis): this plant is among the best known for its particular beneficial properties. It contains multiple active principle ingredients such as cinnamic acid, glucomannans and anthraquinones cathartic. Aloe presents excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulants properties.
Theriac (Theriaca venetiana): has antacids, digestive and expectorant properties. It';s composed of a set of herbs such as lavender, anise, juniper, weed, milk thistle, mint, gentiana, hypericum, licorice and many others.
Secret ingredientc (Secret HHHS ingredient): our product differs from the "official" Swedish bitters products in that an additinal ingrediant has been carefully selected and added, enhancing the solution's concentration and thus bringing greater effectiveness.
The content can present traces of woods such as husk walnut and wood sweet.
Among all these herbs necessary for the preparation of Swedish bitters, the only replaceable is the aloe that can be replaced by
wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) which possesses toning properties and helps strengthen the immune system.
