BITTER TONIC
A bitter-tasting substance or formula used to increase a deficient
appetite, improve the acidity of stomach secretions and protein digestion, and slightly
speed up the orderly emptying of the stomach. A good bitter tonic should possess little,
if any, drug effect, only acting on oral and stomach functions and secretions. Dry mouth,
bad gums, teeth problems with bad breath in the morning, and weak digestion, often
with constipation, are the main deficiency symptoms. A bitter tonic has little effect in
normal digestion. Example: Gentiana