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Saffron, an ingredient in the Swedish Bitter recipe

Ingredients

Opas Original Swedish Bitter follows a traditional Austrian recipe for the large Swedish Bitters blend. The ingredient list below preserves the Latin and German names used for its herbs and other components, alongside the grain alcohol used in the finished preparation.

Swedish Bitters is a name shared by different recipes, rather than one universal formula. The large blend listed here differs from the small Swedish Bitters recipe, so ingredient lists should be compared product by product. Our herbs are sourced from an Austrian pharmaceutical supplier serving apothecaries and pharmacies.

  • Herba absinthii (Wermutkraut)

  • Folium boldo (Boldoblatt)

  • Fungus laricis (Laerchenschwamm)

  • Radix gentianae (Enzianwurzel)

  • Radix carlinae (Eberwurz)

  • Radix dictamni (Diptamwurzel)

  • Semen myristicae (Muskatnuss)

  • Herba allii ursini (Bärlauch)

  • Radix Rhei (Rhabarber)

  • Radix angelicae (Angelikawurzel)

  • Macis (Muskatblüte)

  • Bolus Rubra (Tonerde Rot)

  • Radix zedoariae (Zitwerwurzel)

  • Radix tormentillae (Tormentillwurzel)

  • Radix calami (Kalmuswurzel)

  • Myrrhae (Myrrhe)

  • Camphora Japonica Vera (Kampfer)

  • Crocus sativus (Saffron)

  • Theriak Mixture (Theriak Mischung)

  • Grain Alcohol

Understanding the ingredient names

The list uses traditional apothecary terminology. Words such as radix, folium and herba distinguish roots, leaves and herb material. The German names in parentheses provide another way to identify the listed ingredients. These historical names describe the recipe; they are not statements about what a finished product will do.

Theriak mixture and grain alcohol

Theriak mixture is a blend of additional herbs within the larger recipe. It should not be read as the name of one plant. This page does not itemize that sub-blend, so consult the current product label or contact us for further ingredient details before choosing a product.

Grain alcohol is listed separately from the herbs. It is the liquid used for steeping the mixture in an alcohol-based preparation. The dry herb mixture and the prepared liquid are different product forms; check the label for the form you are purchasing and its preparation instructions.

Recipe and historical context

Accounts associated with Maria Treben and older Swedish Bitters manuscripts help explain the tradition surrounding these recipes. They are historical sources, not evidence that this mixture prevents or treats disease. Ingredient identity and traditional use should not be confused with demonstrated medical effectiveness.

For related information, see our comparison of Swedish Bitters recipes, history of Swedish Bitters and preparation guide. The current product label should be your reference for the ingredients and directions of the specific product you have.