Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bitter principles—compounds found in plants such as gentian, dandelion, and artichoke—have a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine for supporting digestive health, including conditions associated with the gall bladder. The rationale in traditional medicine is that bitter compounds stimulate the taste receptors, which then increases saliva production and triggers a cascade of digestive secretions, including bile from the liver and gall bladder. This is believed to aid fat digestion and support overall liver and gall bladder function, especially in cases of sluggish bile flow or after gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy), to compensate for the reduced or absent bile storage and release. However, scientific validation of these effects is limited. While some studies have shown that bitters can increase saliva and gastric secretions, direct evidence of a significant effect on bile flow or gall bladder function in humans is sparse. Most clinical evidence remains anecdotal or comes from small, uncontrolled studies. There is some preliminary support for bitters aiding in dyspepsia or indigestion, which may indirectly benefit people with gall bladder issues, but robust, large-scale trials are lacking. Thus, their use is primarily justified by tradition, with limited scientific backing.

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