Bitterness & Resilience

Why are bitter plants so important? Well, yes—you need to taste the bitterness to truly benefit from its effects. It’s not always the sweet treat that helps us feel good. 

Our tongue has multiple receptors for bitterness, and interestingly, we also have them in our gut lining. These bitter receptors help stimulate digestive juices, boosting appetite and encouraging acid production to break down food more efficiently.

Try this at home : make a strong infusion of a bitter plant, drink it and feel its effects. You’ll realize that your salivary glands will kick into full gear almost instantly. Some common bitter plants include chamomile, calendula, yarrow, dandelion root and artemisia.

Sure at first, it might taste like “ugh!” as some may say, but it’s only due to the lack of diversity in our Western diets, predominantly filled with sugar and processed foods. Reintroducing bitter flavors is like giving your taste buds (and your body) a wake-up call. It strengthens your body's resilience and brings more enjoyment to your meals. Think of it as a challenge and by challenging yourself –it ultimately makes you stronger.

Looking to cut back on sugar?

Bitter plants are our allies. They help curb cravings for sweet and salty foods and can also support your sense of satiety. They also act as tonics, promoting a healthy gut by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria and supporting a thriving gut flora.

Let’s talk about dandelions… Why do they pop up everywhere in the spring?

After a long winter, dandelions are one of the first flowers to emerge from the earth to serve as food for our fellow bees. And they offer so much more than that - they also help to activate our body by supporting our kidneys and liver’s function.

Its bitter leaves are diuretic and nourishing for the kidneys whereas its roots help to boost bile production and open detoxification pathways, supporting our liver’s function to clear waste from our bodies. 

Dandelions are incredibly resilient plants. No matter how many times you try to remove them, they’ll pop right back up. We can turn to our plants as mentors — quietly reminding us to stay rooted in our values and keep showing up, no matter what. 

Embracing bitters can be a simple but powerful way to support your digestive health, break free from sugar cravings, and reconnect with nature. Just like dandelions, we too can emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to face life’s challenges with renewed spring energy.