There is a long-standing tradition of use for digestive aids, also known as digestifs when tinctured in alcohol, including digestive bitters. Stimulating the digestive system prior to eating, ensuring optimum digestion occurs.
The digestive process begins in the mouth, when the taste buds stimulate saliva to release enzymes.
Cultures around the world have traditionally used bitter flavours to stimulate the digestive system. Creating a tincture by steeping bitter-tasting roots, leaves, berries and fruits in alcohol and serving the mixture before or after a meal. Often the formula was accompanied by more pleasant tasting carminative herbs such as peppermint or fennel.

The history of bitters during the 1880s intertwined with that of the cocktail as bartenders discovered that bitters softened the often harsh alcoholic beverages of the day. Until the late 1880s, any drink called a cocktail contained bitters including the martini, the Manhattan and the Old-Fashioned. Only in the 1950s did the trend for bitters in cocktails fade.

Up to 62% of people report suffering with heartburn or acid stomach in any given year, many of whom will turn to over the counter medicines such as Alka Seltzer or Gaviscon. But treatment with antacids is for short-terms use, symptomatic and only justified for minor symptoms. Indeed, there is a considerable list of side-effects associated with antacids.

Digestifs on the other hand, have a long history of safe use, so whether as a remedy to settle an upset stomach, calm a hangover or gently cleanse the liver, bitters are back in fashion.

What does marshmallow Root do?

Marshmallow Root is one of the oldest digestive remedies of all time. It was traditionally used for all digestive problems including food poisoning. The root contains a specific type of semi-soluble polysaccharide, which herbalists traditionally referred to as ‘mucilage’. This sticky sugar compound is used to soothe inflamed surfaces, as it naturally deliver a cooling sensation. There are also alot of flavonoid compounds presentinmarshmallowroot.These Have been shown to deliver a notable anti-inflammatory activity (Gudej, 1991: 284). It has also been shown that the flavonoids from marshmallow root can stimulate the activity of macrophages, causing them to increase the rate of phagocytosis, and can also stimulate neutrophils to secrete increased amounts of interleukins locally, helping to manage the inflammatory response at a local level (Barnes et al, 2002:332).

A natural DEMUCULANT

- (soothing) ideal for inflamed upset stomachs following any acute episode (ie acute vomiting, food poisoning etc)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - ideal for gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

What does Meadowsweet do?

Meadowsweet is another classic digestive herb from the Western Herbal Materia Medica. It has traditionally been prescribed as a potent antacid remedy, as it is believed that part of the chemistry found in the flowers is able to reduce the secretion of HCL from the gastric mucosa (Barnes et al, 2002: 336). It also has a well documented inhibitory effect upon stomach ulcer formation (Barnaulov & Denisenko, 1980: 700). This activity may be in part due to the very high content of naturally occurring salicylates found within the flowers, that give it is characteristic aroma. Salicylates are the powerful anti-inflammatory plant chemicals that were the original aspirin, before it became chemically synthesised. These compounds work by inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid into proinflammatory eicosanoids suchasPGE2andIL5. This fact alone justifies the use of meadowsweet broad range of inflammatory issues of the digestive tract.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - ideal for gastritis, and IBD

PAIN RELIEF- can be useful in painful IBS and gastritis

ANT ACID - reflux and hiatus hernia

ANTI-BACTERIAL - following food poisoning

What is Peppermint good for.

Peppermint is the most widely used herb for digestive complaints on the planet. Virtually every traditional medical system has incorporated peppermint, and it has even found its way into pharmaceutical prescriptions. There have been many studies carried out on the effects of peppermint on digestive function. A literature review conducted by the German Commission E, concluded that there is “vast evidence to demonstrate that peppermint and its oils are effective spasmolytics, promote gastric secretions, and increase bile flow”. As a spasmolytic, the volatile oils in peppermint can regulate peristaltic tone-the normal rhythmic contraction off the great wall. This Makes Peppermint useful for both diarrhoea and constipation. They do this by blocking the calcium channel transport mechanism en intestinal smooth muscle,during periods of hypercontractility(diarrhoea). These oils are also valuable for bloating and wind as they not only help to get things moving through the digestive tract by regulating peristalsis, but they also help to physically disperse gas. Peppermint is also proving to be a powerhouse in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Many large scale studies have been carried out that have yielded positive results, including one randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of 42 children with IBS. After two weeks of using peppermint, there was a significant lowering of pain and digestive discomfort among the peppermint group, in comparison with the placebo.

ANTISPASMODIC - reducing stomach cramps and acute diarrhoea
CARMINATIVE - relieving bloating and flatulence
CHOLAGOGUE- (stimulates bile flow) - increasing fat absorption, nausea, constipation.

What is Fennel good for?

Fennel is another classic from the British Herbal Materia Medica, for treating digestive disorders, coming under the herbal class of carminative. Fennel contains a group of potent essential oils, that gives it its characteristic aniseed smell. These terpene based oils are known to have a localised anti-inflammatory effect upon the mucous lining of the gut. They are also known to work in a similar way to the oils found in peppermint, in that they can have a regulatory effect on the rate of smooth muscle contraction in the gut wall.

• CARMINATIVE -easing bloating and gas
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - gastritis and IBD

What is Angelica used for?

Angelica is a wild British herb that has been used for a multitude of different complaints in as many different body systems. It has a reliable track record of being another potent antispasmodic. In the same botanical family as fennel, it is rich in powerful volatile oils that also interact with calcium channels in smooth muscle, and regulate its rate of contraction. There are also flavonoid compounds present in angelica that have an anti-inflammatory activity. This is due to their ability to interrupt arachidonic acid metabolism, into pro-inflammatory by products.

ANTISPASMODIC - spasmodic diarrhoea and flatulence

What is gentian used for?

Gentian is one of the most bitter tasting plants on the face of the planet. As such it has a powerful effect up on the biliary system. When the taste buds at the back of the tongue detect a bitter flavour, they cause a nervous reflex. Two nerves have their roots at the back of the tongue are stimulated. These are the vagus and hypoglossal nerves. When these get stimulated by a bitter flavour, they cause the stomach to secrete higher levels of gastric enzymes and regulate HCL production. There is also a reflexive contraction of the gallbladder. This increases the flow of bile from the liver. Bile is the body’s natural laxative and is also important for proper fat digestion.

BITTER - stimulating gastric digestion

CHOLAGOGUE - constipation, bloating, nausea.

LAXATIVE – eases constipation

Why is Honey so good for health?

Honey Is Considered A Complete Food And Contains 35%protein(one half of all the amino acids). It Is Highly concentrated source of essential nutrients, including B-complex, vitamin C, D, and E, and some minerals. Historically it is prized for its ability to promote energy and healing. The use of honey in this formula is a traditional method and gives the product a pleasant flavour.

ANTI-OXIDANT - Honey contains several compounds that function as antioxidants, one of which is unique to honey, called pinocembrin. Pinocembrin is being studied for potential antibacterial properties.

ANTI-MICROBIAL - Honey contains specific enzymes as well as other compounds that may be responsible for honey's ability to exert antimicrobial effects against such organisms as Staphylococcus auras, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

DOSAGE: 15-30 drops twice daily in water or fruit juice.

What are the Health Benefits of Viridian Digestive Elixir?

Food poisoning, gastric inflammation (gastritis), inflammatory bowel disease, gastric hyperacidity, IBS, hiatus hernia, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bloating / intestinal gas, flatulence and indigestion, anti-spasmodic effects on GI tract.

Any adverse effects of digestive elixir.

Note: Not recommended in patients with oesophageal reflux symptoms (due to the effect of peppermint decreasing the lower esophageal sphincter pressure).