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Page 57
| The resulting product has far too many uses to list here, ranging from the treatment of stomach cramps and indigestion to external application as a poultice or for insect bites or mouth sores. It's no exaggeration to say that Treben found a hundred effective uses for this tincture, which she credited with saving her life. Though not the worst tasting liquid you'll ever encounter, Swedish bitters does live up to its name and it's an acquired taste: strong, pungent, and yes, very bitter. |
| It is difficult if not impossible to obtain the ingredients in Treben's Swedish Litters in the U.S. Fortunately, you can order them directly from the Austrian company licensed by Maria Treben to manufacture the blend, and its quality is unsurpassed. |
| To order, send $20 in U.S. funds to RiPharm, P. O. Box 23, 4710 Grieskirchen, Austria, or write first to verify price and availability. As this product is not distributed in the U.S. or England, there is no English-language labeling. I add 1-1/4 quarts (5 cups) of 80-proof vodka to the contents of one box. Any distilled liquor of at least 80-proof will work well; you can substitute rum, brandy or other alcohols as desired. Seal the jar tightly and leave it in a warm place, shaking it daily. Maria Treben's instructions recommend letting the jar stand for 14 days, but the blend's flavor and intensity increase substantially if you leave it for four weeks or longer. To use, strain the tincture through cheesecloth and store it in tightly closed amber glass bottles away from heat and light. Properly stored, the tincture will keep indefinitely. |
| To use Swedish bitters for improved digestion, take 1 teaspoon diluted with water or straight from the spoon in the morning and evening, shortly before breakfast and dinner. For best results, hold the bitters on your tongue for half a minute or more before swallowing. It takes getting used to, but the benefits are often dramatic. For indigestion after eating, take up to 3 tablespoons straight or diluted with water, as needed. For serious ailments, dilute 1 tablespoon in 1/2 cup herb tea and take half of this before eating and the other half after, repeating the treatment with every meal. |
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