Swedish Bitters is an European herbal formula that can be used for treating injuries, liver disease and constipation.
Swedish bitters is made of a blend of medicinal herbs. It can help treat many ailments. Many people believe that Swedish bitters is a tonic, but actually it is not.
Most herbs in the formula of Swedish bitters have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. For each herb, TCM has very detailed description and guideline of the properties, tastes, and ailments that it can treat.
Myrrh, saffron, angelica root and zedoary root are key herbs in the most traditional Chinese formulas that are used for treating bruises, bone fractures, injuries, joint pains and wounds. Myrrh, saffron, zedoary root and angelica root have blood-moving properties, they can expel blood stasis. Myrrh also has pain relieving properties. And angelica root has blood-generating properties.
Rhubarb root is a strong laxative in TCM. It is often used to treat constipation caused by internal disease or by injuries and wounds. Senna is not an traditional Chinese herb. According to the experience of TCM doctors who used this herb, senna is a very strong laxative.
Angelica root, aloe and rhubarb root are three main ingredients in a famous Chinese classic formula Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (当归龙荟丸), which is used to cleanse “fire” in liver and gallbladder, and treat the related symptoms – intestinal heat, sores, restlessness, dizziness, pains, red eyes and constipation, etc.
Camphor in TCM is often used externally for treating bruises, injuries, joint pains and wounds. According to TCM, camphor is toxic and should not be used internally.
As we can see that, the main effects of Swedish bitters are: stimulate blood circulation, expel blood stasis, cleanse liver and intestines, reduce excessive internal heat. That is why it can be used to treat wounds, bruises, joint pains, liver fever, high blood pressure, skin ulcers, sores, constipation, restlessness, dizziness, pains, red eyes, etc if the symptoms are caused by blood stasis, liver and gallbladder “fire”, and internal heat.
So basically, Swedish bitters is more like a Die Da Sun Shan Jiu (跌打损伤酒, an alcoholic tincture used in treating various traumatic injuries, fractures, dislocations and muscles, bones injuries and hemostasis swelling pain in Chinese classic formulas), plus heat-reducing and laxative properties.
You may take Swedish bitters if you do have the disorders mentioned above, but you should not use it as a general tonic for longevity, vitality, and endurance if you do not have these ailments.
For more information about herbal formulas, go to Natural Remedies Center: http://www.naturalremediescenter.com/formulas/
