Common among folk herbologists, bitter herbs are known to be powerful cleansing medicines. Whether blood, intestinal or viral cleansers, a bitter taste is a distinctive trademark of such herbs. Among those used successfully, cascara sagrada bark, aloe vera leaf and goldenseal root are most common in North America. The widespread use of these herbs is primarily due to effectiveness and availability.
Goldenseal Root
Although it is available to prepare in tea form, goldenseal root has a distinct and bitter taste. Goldenseal is a natural herbal home remedy for bacterial infections. Believed to be a natural antibiotic, it has been used for centuries because of its ability to boost the immune system. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests the ingestion of this herb by capsules and standardized extracts. The powder can be used to form a topical paste as well.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a bitter and pungent herb used for a host of healing properties. Nathan Bailey of Minnesota State University reports that the ancient Egyptians used aloe vera to treat worms, relieve headaches, soothe chest pains, and heal burns, ulcers and a host of skin diseases. It is an herb that can be taken orally or used topically. The ingestion of aloe healed digestive and intestinal disorders remarkably. The Mayo Clinic confirms aloe vera's use as an oral laxative.
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara has a tremendously bitter taste and is, therefore, most easily taken in capsule form. Cascara sagrada has been considered a gentle laxative by the Native Americans who first used it. The name means "sacred bark," according to "Cascara Sagrada; Nature's Gentle Answer to Constipation." The bark was traditionally peeled from the wood, collected in the spring and summer and allowed to dry in the shade. Cascara sagrada is a stimulant laxative whose function is to assist bowel evacuation.
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