History of Swedish Bitter

Schwedenbitter also known as Swedish Bitters can be traced back hundreds of years. In-fact the elixir has been found in the pharmacopeias since the Middle Ages with name variations of: Hierapicra composita, Tinctura aloes composita, and Species ad longam vitam. Paracelsus (1493-1541) also known as the “Luther of Medicine” developed Elixir Ad Longam Vitam which translates into “medicine for a long life”.

The original elixir was formulated by Paracelsus of Swiss - German origin, but was left behind in an old manuscript that had been found 200 years later. The Elixir Ad Longam Vitam is formulated to harmonize all major internal organ functions and benefit the entire body.

In the 17th century Dr. Claus Samst and Dr. Urban Hjärne rediscovered what appeared to be the original elixir formula from Paracelsus “Elixir Ad Longam Vitam”. Dr. Urban Hjärne lived to be 83 and Dr. Claus Samst died from a riding accident and reported to have lived until the age of 104 years.

Please note, in the 17th century, life expectancy was at the range of 20 - 40 years of age. After Dr. Claus Samst died the elixir was renamed Swedish Bitter (Schwedenbitter). Dr. Claus Samst created a manuscript describing some 46 problems Schwedenbitter has helped relieve.

Maria Treben found her way to this manuscript of healing herbs “Schwedenbitter” some 250 years later. Maria Treben suffered typhoid fever until a woman brought her a small bottle containing a dark brown color.

Maria Treben tells her story in the following excerpt:
“It sounds almost like a fairy tale, but it is true. As a refugee from the German speaking area of Czechoslovakia, I became ill with typhoid fever in a camp in Bavaria, caused by contaminated meat and, through it, came jaundice and an obstruction in the intestines. I spent more than 6 months in hospital and when my husband got my mother, my mother-in-law, our child and myself to Austria, I was a young but sick woman. At night I was hit by terrible pain that shot through my body like a sword. In these moments I could neither sit nor stand, walk nor lie down; at the same time I vomited and had diarrhea. I was a helpless bundle of misery. These were after pains of the typhoid fever which sometimes can go on for years, as the doctor said.

One day a woman brought me a small bottle containing a dark brown, strong smelling liquid. She had heard of my illness and wanted to help.