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Digestive Bitters - BEFORE

186 reviews

Digestive Bitters - BEFORE

186 reviews

I have a personal affinity for digestive bitters because my body craves them and my digestion behaves better when I take them.

-Magdalena Wszelaki, Founder of Wellena

$27.00

I have a personal affinity for digestive bitters because my body craves them and my digestion behaves better when I take them.

-Magdalena Wszelaki, Founder of Wellena

The digestive bitters you have tried might have been so intense (from the alcohol and the bitter herbs) that you might be reluctant to try them again. We felt the same way too, that's why we spent months, we spent months formulating our Before Digestive Bitters to create a well-rounded flavor. By including some glycerin, we were able to balance the bitter herbs with a subtle sweetness, making them a pleasure to indulge in before every meal.

Curious to learn more? Click here to read our article on how bitters can help your digestion, hormones and BMs

 

What this product helps with

A Better Bitter

Our "Before" and "After" Bitters were developed to improve your digestion. If you have ever tried bitters before, you may be pleasantly surprised by the well-rounded taste, making these bitters a pleasure to indulge in before and after every meal.

The Before Meal Digestive Bitters warm up your digestion, preparing it for receiving food and extracting maximum nutrition from it. It contains bitter and warming herbs such as gentian, schisandra, angelica, ginger, rosemary, meadowsweet, and cloves. Creating heat in the digestion is essential and this is why patients of Traditional Chinese Medicine are always told not to drink iced drinks before or with a meal - you are shutting down your digestion down.

How This Product Works

How our Before Bitters ingredients work

Gentian (Gentiana lutea)

Traditionally used for its “digestive fire.” Also traditionally used to fight inflammation, as a cholagogue (to support bile flow), liver decongestant, digestion stimulator, promoter of peristalsis, reliever of occasional constipation.

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

This Siberian, resilient berry is a mighty adaptogen that has been traditionally used to support the adrenal cortex, and improve occasional fatigue. Has also been traditionally used to help with sleep, support the liver, support bile flow. Is traditionally known to fight bacteria, as an antioxidant and expectorant (may support liver detoxification).

Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

Traditionally used for dyspepsia (heartburn), flatulence, overnight urination, relieving occasional symptoms of arthritis, occasional circulation problems, "runny nose," occasional nervousness, and anxiety, and occasional insomnia. Also traditionally known as a strong expectorant (loosens up mucus and expels it).

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Traditionally known to be a digestive stimulant, soother of the GI and nervous system, to fight occasional inflammation, aromatic, stomachic (salivary and gastric secretagogue effect), GI tonic, to act on the parasympathetic nervous system, analgesic, carminative (to relieve flatulence), cholagogue (to support bile flow).

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Traditionally known for its warming of the interior, stimulation of circulation, warming sensation of stomach-intestines, a supporter of digestion, reliever of occasional bloating, promoter of bile flow, reliever of occasional gastroenteritis and colitis. Also traditionally known as a bitter tonic and antioxidant, supporter of bile flow, stimulant, diuretic.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Traditionally known as a reliever of acid and occasional pain in the GI tract.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Traditionally known to warm the stomach, aid digestion, stimulate circulation. Also traditionally known to support liver health.

This Product Works Best With

B Maximus $28.00
D3 Maximus $28.00
Magnesium Replenish $38.00

How to use this product

What to expect from using Digestive Bitters

Customer Reviews
4.8 Based on 186 Reviews
5 ★
90% 
167
4 ★
4% 
8
3 ★
3% 
6
2 ★
1% 
2
1 ★
2% 
3
Customer Photos
Write a Review Ask a Question

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Filter Reviews:
  • bitters
  • Game changer
  • body
  • foods
  • bloat
  • least
  • acid reflux
  • medication
  • chemotherapy
  • digestive system
CS
06/02/2022
Christine S.
United States United States

Best ever

These bitters taste good and get the job done!

Digestive Bitters Kit
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Was this helpful?  0    0
06/03/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Hi Christine, we love this combination kit too! We're so happy to hear you like the taste. Thanks for your great review!

TB
07/02/2021
Tracy B.
United States United States

Helped so much

I used to be very bloated after meals, even after not over eating. Taking these bitters before and after meals has made a world of difference. I was hesitant of what the taste might be, but I was pleasantly surprised, very tolerable, not offensive. I will definitely be reordering when my current supply is gone.

Digestive Bitters Kit
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Was this helpful?  1    0
07/03/2021

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Getting the taste right was one of our top priorities. So glad to hear you're noticing a positive difference. Thank you for sharing your review!

TV
07/04/2022
Tracey V.
United States

BEST BITTERS

I have been working on digestion and gut health. I tried many different types of bitters. These bitters are truly the best. I have order several bottles now.

Digestive Bitters - BEFORE
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Was this helpful?  0    0
A
06/24/2022
Anonymous
United States United States

Can’t live without

These bitters are by far the best tasting and effective out of all the other brands I’ve tried. Definitely worth every penny!

Digestive Bitters Kit
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Was this helpful?  0    0
06/24/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

We love hearing your enjoyment using the Digestive Bitters, we love them too! Thanks for the review!

A
06/21/2022
Anonymous
United States United States

The digestive Bitters Kit is the only one....

Over the years I have tried many different bitters, but non of them worked for my body (I would react shortly after taking any of the other bitters). This combo is fantastic, AND tastes great! I love the bottles, and use them for other purposes once they are empty. But the bottles are not a good match for these formulas, as they do not do a good job, and some of the product ends up being wasted (the formula appears to be to thin for the intended use of these bottles). I end up "wiping" the top of the dispenser with my clean fingers, so I don't end up wasting a lot, but I do end up with sticky fingers.....

Digestive Bitters Kit
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Was this helpful?  0    0
06/26/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Thank you so much for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this wonderful review and are so happy you are liking the bitters!

1. Beauchamp G. K. Why do we like sweet taste: A bitter tale? Physiology & behavior. 2016.

2. Wszelaki, Magdalena. Overcoming Estrogen Dominance. New Type Publishing. January 2021.

3. Raja MK, Sethiya NK, Mishra SH. A comprehensive review on Nymphaea stellata: A traditionally used bitter. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research. 2010.

4. Du, H. G., Ming, L., Chen, S. J., & Li, C. D. Xiaoyao pill for treatment of functional dyspepsia in perimenopausal women with depression. World journal of gastroenterology, 2014.

5. Yang, N., Jiang, X., Qiu, X., Hu, Z., Wang, L., & Song, M. Modified Chaihu Shugan Powder for Functional Dyspepsia: Meta-Analysis for Randomized Controlled Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. 2013.

6. Zhao, L. et al. Efficacy of modified ban xia xie xin decoction on functional dyspepsia of cold and heat in complexity syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. 2013.

7. Ko, S. et al. An Herbal Medicine, Yukgunja-Tang is more Effective in a Type of Functional Dyspepsia Categorized by Facial Shape Diagnosis: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. 2018.

8. Ahnfelt, N. O., & Fors, H. Making Early Modern Medicine: Reproducing Swedish Bitters. Ambix, 2016.

9. Melzer, J., Rösch, W., Reichling, J., Brignoli, R., & Saller, R. Meta-analysis: phytotherapy of functional dyspepsia with the herbal drug preparation STW 5 (Iberogast). Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2004.

10. Oshikoya, K. A., et al. Herbal medicines supplied by community pharmacies in Lagos, Nigeria: pharmacists’ knowledge. Pharmacy practice, 2013.

11. Walker, J. M. The Bitter Remedy. The European Journal of Herbal Medicine. n.d.

12. Foster, S.R., Blank, K., Hoe, L.E.S., Behrens, M., Meyerhof, W., Peart, J.N. and Thomas, W.G. Bitter taste receptor agonists elicit G‐protein‐dependent negative inotropy in the murine heart. The FASEB Journal. 2014.

13. Lu, P., Zhang, C-H., Lifshitz, L. M., & ZhuGe, R. Extraoral bitter taste receptors in health and disease. Journal of General Physiology. February, 2017.

14. Mayo Clinic. Researchers find new treatment for constipation. ScienceDaily. May 16, 2011.

15. Langhorst, J., et al. Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis–a double-blind, double-dummy study. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 2013.

16. Tsai, C. C., et al. Salvia miltiorrhiza Induces Tonic Contraction of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter in Rats via Activation of Extracellular Ca2+ Influx. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2015.

17. Ano, Y., et al. Hop bitter acids containing a β-carbonyl moiety prevent inflammation-induced cognitive decline via the vagus nerve and noradrenergic system. Scientific reports, 2020.

18. Tong, X. L., et al. The safety and effectiveness of TM81, a Chinese herbal medicine, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2013.

19.Lvovskaya, S., & Smith, D. P. A spoonful of bitter helps the sugar-response go down. Neuron, 2013.

20. Ben Salem, M., Affes, H., Ksouda, K., Dhouibi, R., Sahnoun, Z., Hammami, S., & Zeghal, K. M. Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands),2015.

21. Mantovani, A., Gisondi, P., Lonardo, A., & Targher, G. Relationship between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Psoriasis: A Novel Hepato-Dermal Axis?. International journal of molecular sciences. 2016.

22. Wu, S., Xue, P., Grayson, N., Bland, J. S., & Wolfe, A. Bitter Taste Receptor Ligand Improves Metabolic and Reproductive Functions in a Murine Model of PCOS. Endocrinology. 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

For best results, take the bitters any time between 15 minutes or immediately before or after a meal.
The Wellena Digestive Bitters can be taken every day. If you are using bitters from other brands, that might not be the case.
You can but the bitter receptors in your body need a higher concentration of bitters for you to gain the medicinal benefits.
Pregnant women, children, and people with ulcers and gastritis, and former alcoholics should avoid bitters. If you are sensitive to any of the herbs present in the bitters, avoid the product.
Our Wellena Before Digestive Bitters are 90% organic and After Digestive Bitters are 80% organic. The non-organic herbs are responsibly wildcrafted and confirmed not to contain any harmful compounds.
Our glycerin is derived from coconut.
Our alcohol/ethanol is derived from sugarcane.
Yes.
Unfortunately, we do not. Many of the medicinal constituents found in herbs are only alcohol-soluble and won’t get extracted by water or glycerin alone.
It’s officially 3 years but they are likely to last much longer. We hope you use them much sooner than that!
If you have stomach ulcers, you should avoid bitters for the time being – although it depends on the blend of herbs. The herb gentian, as an example, stimulates the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid (HCL), which will irritate the ulcer. The same goes for if you have gastritis. You can use gentian and other HCL-promoting herbs once you heal your stomach lining.
Digestive bitters have a proven track record to helping digest food better which may result in feeling lighter after meals, experiencing less acid reflux, burping, flatulence, and constipation. The liver loves bitters, too, the bitter taste facilitates detoxification. Bitters also stimulate bile flow which is helpful in digestive fatty meals and metabolism of “dirty” estrogens (present in estrogen dominance). Bitters have also been shown to balance blood sugar levels and activate the parasympathetic (rest-and-relax) nervous system.
Yes, many bitter users swear that bitters have relieved their constipation.
Before dinner, yes. Before bedtime, we don’t recommend it as it may make you feel hungry and cause night waking.
Yes, almost every culinary tradition has an element of bitterness. Some in the form of aperitifs (like Campari in North Italy, pastis in France, ouzo in Greece), others as condiments (green mango chutney in India, mustard in many countries).
The role of digestive bitters is to stimulate your own body to produce and release the various enzymes that aid digestion. Taking digestive enzymes is giving your body these enzymes. For some people, taking bitters creates enough enzymatic activity that they don’t need enzymes. For others, it’s not enough and they need to supplement with enzymes. So, it really depends on your age and digestive “fire.” We suggest starting with the bitters and see if that’s enough. If not, add the digestive enzymes. You know you’ve taken too many digestive aids when you develop nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping or discomfort, headache, neck pain or nasal congestion.

2-4 squirts in your mouth BEFORE a meal, can be used before any or all daily meals.

Customer Reviews
4.8 Based on 186 Reviews
5 ★
90% 
167
4 ★
4% 
8
3 ★
3% 
6
2 ★
1% 
2
1 ★
2% 
3
Customer Photos
Write a Review Ask a Question

Thank you for submitting a review!

Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!

Filter Reviews:
  • bitters
  • Game changer
  • body
  • foods
  • bloat
  • least
  • acid reflux
  • medication
  • chemotherapy
  • digestive system
CS
06/02/2022
Christine S.
United States United States

Best ever

These bitters taste good and get the job done!

Digestive Bitters Kit
Share   |   Facebook  •  Twitter
Was this helpful?  0    0
06/03/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Hi Christine, we love this combination kit too! We're so happy to hear you like the taste. Thanks for your great review!

TB
07/02/2021
Tracy B.
United States United States

Helped so much

I used to be very bloated after meals, even after not over eating. Taking these bitters before and after meals has made a world of difference. I was hesitant of what the taste might be, but I was pleasantly surprised, very tolerable, not offensive. I will definitely be reordering when my current supply is gone.

Digestive Bitters Kit
Share   |   Facebook  •  Twitter
Was this helpful?  1    0
07/03/2021

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Getting the taste right was one of our top priorities. So glad to hear you're noticing a positive difference. Thank you for sharing your review!

TV
07/04/2022
Tracey V.
United States

BEST BITTERS

I have been working on digestion and gut health. I tried many different types of bitters. These bitters are truly the best. I have order several bottles now.

Digestive Bitters - BEFORE
Share   |   Facebook  •  Twitter
Was this helpful?  0    0
A
06/24/2022
Anonymous
United States United States

Can’t live without

These bitters are by far the best tasting and effective out of all the other brands I’ve tried. Definitely worth every penny!

Digestive Bitters Kit
Share   |   Facebook  •  Twitter
Was this helpful?  0    0
06/24/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

We love hearing your enjoyment using the Digestive Bitters, we love them too! Thanks for the review!

A
06/21/2022
Anonymous
United States United States

The digestive Bitters Kit is the only one....

Over the years I have tried many different bitters, but non of them worked for my body (I would react shortly after taking any of the other bitters). This combo is fantastic, AND tastes great! I love the bottles, and use them for other purposes once they are empty. But the bottles are not a good match for these formulas, as they do not do a good job, and some of the product ends up being wasted (the formula appears to be to thin for the intended use of these bottles). I end up "wiping" the top of the dispenser with my clean fingers, so I don't end up wasting a lot, but I do end up with sticky fingers.....

Digestive Bitters Kit
Share   |   Facebook  •  Twitter
Was this helpful?  0    0
06/26/2022

Wellena / Hormones Balance

Thank you so much for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this wonderful review and are so happy you are liking the bitters!

DO YOU SHIP TO CANADA, THE UK, AUSTRALIA OR OTHER COUNTRIES?

Unfortunately, at this point we only ship to the United States. This is due to the ever-evolving international laws surrounding supplements.

There are forwarding companies like MyUS.com, that will forward orders to you in your country for a fee.

In this case, it is the customer's responsibility to find out in advance if the supplement in question is legal in their country. For example, Progesterone and DHEA are not legal to ship into Canada (Canada classifies bio-identical hormones as drugs so they can only be prescribed by a doctor or naturopath).

We have had customers successfully ship their supplements abroad using MyUS.com, however we have only limited experience with this service.

WHY DOES SHIPPING COST $11.45?

For small businesses like ours, the shipping fee covers the very real costs of getting your order to you: shipping, handling, packaging, warehousing, insurances, and fairly compensating all the people involved along the way. We do our best to keep this shipping cost as low as possible, and offer FREE shipping for orders $79 and above.

WHY DOES MY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER INCLUDE $11.45 SHIPPING?

If you set up a subscription order and notice that you are being charged shipping, it could be due to one of these reasons:

1. Your order value is under $79

2. Your initial order qualifies for free shipping, but the order frequency on your subscriptions is different ( 1 product is set to ship every month, the other is set to ship every 2 months).

*The system automatically splits this kind of order into 2 separate shipments.

In this case it is more economical to set up one subscription every 2 months, and to increase your quantity to 2 units of the supplement that you consume monthly.

For example: 2 Vitamin B6 + 1 Essential Omegas every 2 months = free shipping.

Please email us at support@hormonesbalance.com if you would like some help managing your subscriptions.

How we make things to be delivered directly to you

Science. Research. Facts.

All our products are rooted in science. No BS, just clean and honest ingredients that work.

We don’t greenwash. Ever.

No greenwashing means that we don't use misleading marketing to make our products seem more green or eco-friendly. Our products really are as natural as it gets.

If it’s not squeaky clean, it’s out.

We work hard to bring you products that are safe and effective. The top offenders we never invite to the party: GMOs, hormone disruptors, gluten, soy, and dairy.

Rigorously tested

Our manufacturing facilities are GMP compliant, which means every product is carefully tested. Our products are proudly made in the US and Canada.

Time-honored traditions

Many of our products use botanicals inspired by ancient herbal traditions from around the world.

1+1 = 5

Our ingredients work synergistically, amplifying each other. We transform them into meaningful products that make a difference for your body and spirit.