Ingredients
- 25 g bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) peel
- 25 g angelica (Angelica archangelica) root
- 5 g gentian (Gentiana lutea) root
- 5 g dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root
- 5 g cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) pods
- 5 g fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds
- 300 ml 45% ethanol (vodka is also effective)
Method
- Place the dried herbs in a herb or spice blender and blend until they are finely ground.
- Cover the herbs with the alcohol and seal.
- Leave the herbs for 3–4 weeks to macerate.
- Strain the mixture through a fine muslin cloth and retain the liquid.
- Fill the 100 ml dropper bottle and retain the rest of the mix to refill the dropper bottle once it’s run out.
This editorial draft organizes preparation facts extracted from 1 research source. It is not ready for publication until every quantity, step and safety note has been checked against the linked source trail.
Preparation overview
This draft preserves the source-grounded ingredient list and preparation sequence without adding therapeutic claims or invented quantities.
At a glance
- Prep: 20 mins
- Yield: a herbal digestive tonic
Equipment
- Sterilised mason jar
- 100 ml dropper bottle
- 500 ml amber glass bottle
Storage and shelf life
- The mixture should be stored in a cool, dark place, ideally in an amber glass bottle to prevent photodegradation (damage from light).
- The smaller mixture can be kept in the 100 ml dropper bottle, so it can be easily portable and taken throughout the day.
- Medicinal benefits of bitter tonic herbs
- Bitter orange peel increases the secretion of gastric fluid, including gastric enzymes and stomach acid. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), bitter orange peel is known to alleviate qi stagnation in the digestive tract, helping to relieve bloating, discomfort or heaviness (3).
- Angelica is a warming, stimulating and aromatic bitter which is also a sialagogue (stimulates the production of saliva). It contains high levels of bitter compounds as well as volatile oils which help to stimulate appetite and digestion as well as relieve irritation in the gastrointestinal tract (4).
- Gentian is a traditional bitter remedy known for its cooling action on the gastrointestinal tract. It is a digestive tonic which helps to stimulate bile production, helping with nutrient assimilation and appetite stimulation (4).
Safety review
- This automated research draft must be checked against every linked source before publication.
- Alcohol-containing preparations may be unsuitable for children, pregnancy, liver disease or people avoiding alcohol.
- Review food allergens, contamination controls and storage life before use.
Editorial verification checklist
- Confirm plant identity, plant part and preparation form.
- Verify every quantity, ratio, temperature and duration against the primary source.
- Check allergies, pregnancy, childhood use, medicine interactions and route of administration.
- Rewrite explanatory prose in the site’s own editorial voice and attach claim-level citations before publication.
!
Pause before using
- This automated research draft must be checked against every linked source before publication.
- Alcohol-containing preparations may be unsuitable for children, pregnancy, liver disease or people avoiding alcohol.
- Review food allergens, contamination controls and storage life before use.
Editorial standard
Useful data, visible limits.
This note is compiled into an original HHT format. Imported research lineage remains stored internally for deduplication, correction and audit, while the public page focuses on the preparation, safety boundaries and independent evidence references.
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