Bitter herbs stimulate appetite. Bitter substances in solution
stimulate gustatory cells (receptors for taste) at the
posterior section of the tongue. The receptors fire nerve impulses
which travel through the glossopharyngeal nerve to the taste
receiving center in the Parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex.
The stimuli which is interpreted as bitter is forwarded through the
vagus nerve to the salivary glands and the stomach. This causes
an increase in secretions and motility of the effected organs leading
to an augmentation of appetite. The bitter chemicals in these
herbs also has a local effect upon arrival in the stomach. They stimulate
the G cells to secrete gastrin. Gastrin in turn stimulates
the parietal cells to secrete HCl. Gastrin is also known to
stimulate pancreatic HCO-3 secretion, pancreatic
enzyme secretion, gallbladder contraction, gastric motility, intestinal motility,
insulin release, mucosal growth, pancreatic growth, and inhibit gastric
emptying.
HERBS
Herbs classified as bitters contain compounds that taste bitter
. These compounds include
monoterpenes (iridoids and secoiridoids and their glucosides), sesquiterpenes
,diterpenes, ketones, amino acids etc. Although these plants may be classified as
bitters, they may contain other active principles.
Examples of
bitter herbs are:
Wormwood
Chicory root
Angustura bitters
Quassia wood
Calumba root