They are all the same formula, just in different sizes for your convenience. The 8.4oz large apothecary bottle is the longest-lasting and can be used to refill your smaller bottles. Our mouth spray bottle is recommended as a travel size to keep in your bag when you’re on the go.

Original and Citrus flavors all have the same basic ingredients with slightly different flavoring; the original is the most bitter, the citrus has some nice citrusy notes. The Calm Tummy Bitters are a little different: they are our only bitters formula that contains chamomile, and they are free of the stronger bitter roots (gentian and angelica), citrus, fennel, & essential oils, so that they can be enjoyed occasionally during pregnancy and by more folks with sensitivities. Cider Vinegar Bitters are made without alcohol and are a great-tasting and effective bitters blend for those who prefer to avoid alcohol. And Healthy Liver Bitters are a rich and herbaceous bitters blend specifically formulated to support liver health* - though some use them as their all-purpose bitters because they prefer the unique flavor profile.

Our products do not need to be refrigerated; please store them tightly capped in a cool, dark place.

Most of our liquids can be mixed with water, sparkling water, tea, or other beverages. Mushroom Immune, with its rich earthy flavor, mixes well in grains and soup too. Though you can mix and dilute our bitters and still see most of the benefits, we do recommend taking bitters in just a little bit of water (an inch or so in the bottom of a glass) or undiluted in order to fully activate the tongue’s bitter taste receptors, for maximum effectiveness. Joy tonic, because of its high aromatic herb content, does best when it isn’t mixed with hot liquids (the heat quickly disperses the medicinal volatile compounds).

When spraying our liquids, depress the pump top fully while aiming the spray at the back of the tongue. Spray 4-10 times depending on the formula, take a second to experience the complexity of flavors, and swallow. When using the dropper, be advised that a “full” dropper, as described in our dosing directions, only appears about ¾ of the way full on smaller-sized bottles (13mL) and just a little over half full on bigger bottles (59mL). Unscrew the dropper top from the bottle, then squeeze the bulb 3-4 times to draw up a “full” amount (close to 30 drops, or 1mL of liquid). Use 1-5 of these droppers per dose, depending on product. For our syrup bottles that come with a measuring cap, use the indicator lines to measure your dose: 2.5mL, 5mL or 7.5mL as indicated by the product label.

In all cases, you can count on quick and complete absorption, and a direct sensory experience of the plants in our blends.

Bitters are often taken ten to fifteen minutes before the biggest meal(s) of the day. This way, they can help support optimal digestive function before food enters the GI tract. However, more recent research indicates that this supportive effect occurs even if bitters are taken in the middle of a meal - the point is taking them regularly! For occasional heartburn, you can take a dose after your meal as well, though in this case regular use before meals can help too. Finally, we prefer to take about 1 dropper full (5-6 sprays, ¼ tsp or about 1mL) undiluted if possible to experience the full impact of the bitter and aromatic herbs we use; however, mixing your bitters with just a little water in a small glass works too if the flavor is too strong undiluted.

All our products can be mixed together if desired, and taken at the same time (or on the same day). In some cases, they make excellent combinations together (bitters and Mushroom Immune for example) or as part of a comprehensive protocol (Joy Tonic and Simmer Down Tonic for example, for stress support). You can also mix them with most liquids (from water to smoothies), though we recommend avoiding hot liquids for Joy Tonic (it can dissipate some of the aromatic constituents in this product), and sticking to just a small amount of water if you choose to dilute our bitters formulas.