Herbal treatment has been practiced for more than one hundred years, and until today, herbal medicine has not lost its position. In a special place in herbal medicine are healing alcoholic balms on herbs. They are credited with many useful properties that help to cope with various diseases. Is it really? Do alcoholic tinctures and balms on herbs really have miraculous properties or is it just an excuse to take a portion of a strong drink, because all alcohol balms have a high strength - from 15 to 70%? We bring to your attention the full characteristics of this product, we will talk about the indications and contraindications for its use.
A bit of history
The history of the appearance of alcohol balm on herbs is rooted in antiquity. Even in the days of paganism they created such a drink, which at that time was called "suria". They made it from a huge number of herbs and considered a drink of the gods. On the territory of Russia, the balm first appeared in the XVIII century - at the time when the Riga pharmacist prepared it specifically for Catherine II. The tincture was prepared on vodka with the addition of various medicinal herbs. The empress liked the balm, and she gave the right to make this drink to this pharmacist. Thus appeared "Riga Balsam", by the way, he had a fortress of 16%.
Description
Balm is a liquor product, a characteristic feature of which is a pronounced herbal aroma. It belongs to multicomponent drinks, is prepared on the basis of alcohol with the addition of a wide variety of roots, herbs, fruits and other components provided for in the recipe. Most often, balm is used as a medicine. Often the strength of such a drink is 30-40%, maybe a little lower or higher.
Useful properties and composition
The composition of any balsam contains organic acids: citric, malic, tartaric, formic, ascorbic, acetic, etc. It contains the necessary micro and macro elements for the body: zinc, copper, chromium, cobalt, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium. In addition, proteins, fats, glucosides, carbohydrates and tannins. The combination of all these components brings the body exclusively benefits, uplifting.
Contraindications
Do not forget that alcohol balms should be taken within the recommended doses. We all know that even a large amount of medicine can become a poison and provoke toxic poisoning in a patient. You should not take such drinks to patients who are diagnosed with problems with the kidneys, liver, as well as children, nursing mothers, pregnant women.
Herbal balm: alcoholic drink or medicine
Balms are a cross between tinctures and liquors. This category includes fairly strong alcohol (from 40 to 70%), which has a spicy-bitter taste infused with herbs and spices. Balm differs from other herbal types of alcohol in that it contains a large amount of tarry substances and essential oils, in connection with this it acquires a deep aroma, bitter taste and a rich dark color. In order to at least slightly bring down bitterness, fruits or honey are added to the recipe of some balms.
Formerly herbal infused alcohol balms were taken exclusively as a medicine. Translated from Greek, the name of the product translates as "remedy." Due to the fact that it includes a rich chemical composition, it has a beneficial effect on the human body.
Today, a large number of people who like the dark spicy drink like it, just use it. Thus, balms began to constitute a separate group of alcoholic beverages, which are served to the table. Please note: you can use it no more than 150 ml per day. Exceeding the recommended amount of balm will not only cause severe alcohol intoxication, but also lead to problems with the intestines due to the herbs that make up the composition.
How to choose herbs
Consider what guides the creators of alcoholic herbal balms when choosing raw materials. Typically, only those plants that have medicinal properties are included in the beverage formulation. I would like to note that in order to engage in the production of such a product, you must have a complete understanding of the medicinal properties of all the plants that you are going to use. By the way, in the old days, only pharmacists, well versed in herbs, were engaged in the production of balms. Names and useful properties of plants:
- star anise - improves bowel function, has antispasmodic properties;
- oak bark - astringent properties;
- anise - a beneficial effect on the intestines and organs of the respiratory system;
- turmeric - choleretic properties;
- cardamom - antimicrobial, antihypertensive, mild sedative;
- cinnamon - increases appetite, improves digestion;
- gentian - helps with fever and indigestion;
- angelica - relieves spasms, increase the tone of the body;
- mint - a painkiller and sedative plant;
- yarrow - kills bacteria, improves blood coagulation;
- Kalgan - astringent and anti-inflammatory;
- rosemary - suppresses the herpes virus, strengthens the immune system;
- juniper - treats liver diseases, diuretic;
- laurel - lowers blood sugar;
- wormwood - improves digestion, increases appetite.
Types of Alcohol Balm
Today, about sixty brands of alcoholic balms are produced in Russia. The most popular are Siberian and Altai. Balms that are produced in America and European countries are called bitter. The origin of the word is English, translated as "bitter." Here is a list of the most popular balms in the world:
- Bittner (Austria);
- Swedish bitterness ;
- Gorno-Altai (Russia);
- Maurera (Sweden);
- Campari (Italy);
- Ussuriyskiy (Russia);
- Jägermeister (Germany);
- "Riga" (Latvia);
- Buryatia (Russia);
- Unicum (Hungary);
- Karelsky (Russia);
- Abbots (USA);
- "Belarusian" (Belarus);
- Parnet (Russia).
"Riga Black Balsam"
This is a fairly strong alcoholic drink that has a dark color and a bitter-sweet taste. In this category of drinks is one of the most popular. It includes lingonberries, valerian root, raspberries, ginger, linden flowers, birch buds and other rather useful components. It is produced in Latvia and bottled in ceramic bottles.
Bittner Balm
As a medicine, Bittner’s alcohol balm is used to exacerbate chronic diseases, it has a therapeutic effect by enhancing the body’s protective abilities and enhancing immunity. This is especially true of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, colds. The balm is recommended for use by people who have suffered any serious illness for a speedy recovery. In addition, it can be used for preventive purposes.
According to patients, this drink has a beneficial effect not only when taken orally, but also when using therapeutic baths. To prepare such a bath, you need to add 1 ml of balm for each liter of water, such water procedures with regular use help to get rid of various inflammation of the skin.
Gorno-Altai balm
The composition of this drink includes herbs that have effective tonic properties. The balm contains such unique plants as the golden root, fireweed, incense, poplar and birch buds, bird cherry and sea buckthorn, marin and maral roots, and healing Altai bitter honey.
Drinking rules
In this part of the article, we will tell you about what methods of using balm exist. It can be taken in different ways.
In pure form.
Drinks can be used as an aperitif or digestif, which is usually served on the table before or after a meal. How to drink 40-45 degrees balm? It is such a fortress that has more balms. They are recommended to be drunk from small liquor glasses in small sips. Usually, the balm is consumed without snacks, because they can interrupt the pleasant aftertaste of herbs.
With coffee or tea.
How to drink alcohol balm? Added to tea or coffee only 1-2 tsp. This product will make the ordinary taste of the well-known drinks unique. Just one cup is enough to raise your tone and improve your mood. By the way, a person after such tea or coffee does not get drunk.
With other drinks.
Few people know about this method of use in our country; it is more popular in the West. In various alcoholic drinks, such as vodka, gin, cognac, wine, whiskey, add a few drops of balm. When mixed, quite interesting and original flavor combinations are obtained. Please note: the strength of such a drink is quite high.
As a part of cocktails.
Balm is usually added to some alcoholic cocktails. One of the simplest and most popular recipes is the Black Night Dancer cocktail, it is prepared based on the following proportions (in parts):
- 1 h. Riga balm;
- ½ teaspoon currant syrup;
- 2 hours cola;
- ¼ h. Lemon juice.
All components are mixed in a shaker and poured into a martini glass. Top can be decorated with a cherry or a slice of lemon.
Like a cure.
Before you begin treatment, you need to know how to take alcohol balm on herbs as a medicine. Balms are often taken for colds, runny nose, indigestion, and in addition, to increase the overall tone of the body and increase immunity. In severe illness and chronic diseases, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary dosage.
How to make balm
We offer you to cook yourself, with a prescription , do-it-yourself alcoholic balms on herbs. Perhaps you yourself are engaged in the collection of herbs and all the necessary components are at your fingertips. If not, then all phyto-raw materials can be easily purchased at the nearest pharmacy or in the market.
Soothing balm
Necessary:
- vodka - 1 l;
- sage, motherwort, lemon balm, valerian root - 50 g each;
- honey - 2 tbsp. l .;
- oak bark - 25 g.
Grind all components and pour vodka. Infuse the balm for 21 days, then filter and add honey to it, mix gently and leave to infuse for another week.
Balm in Russian
Here is another recipe of an unusually useful and very easy to make balm. A healing product with the inclusion of fresh ingredients is best prepared in the autumn, when berries and other components of the balm ripen.
Necessary:
- 1 liter of vodka;
- 50 ml of brandy;
- 50 g of burnt (brown) sugar;
- 30 g of dandelion root, hop cones, oak bark;
- 50 g of viburnum and sea buckthorn.
Pour oak bark, hop cones and dandelion roots with vodka and remove to insist for 15 days. After the time has passed, we filter the resulting drink and add the juice squeezed from the berries of sea buckthorn and viburnum to it. After that, pour cognac into the balsam and add the burnt sugar. The product is ready to eat.