Herbal treatment has been practiced for hundreds of years, and to this day herbal medicine does not give up its positions. Healing alcoholic balms on herbs have a special place in herbal medicine. They are credited with many useful properties that help to cope with various kinds of diseases. Is it really? Do alcoholic tinctures and herbal balms really have miraculous properties, or is it just an excuse to take a portion of a strong drink, because all alcoholic balms have a high strength - from 15 to 70%? We bring to your attention the full description of this product, we will tell you about the indications and contraindications for its use.
A bit of history
The history of the emergence of alcoholic herbal balm goes back to antiquity. Even in pagan times, they created such a drink, which at that time was called "suriya". Madeit was made from a huge number of herbs and was considered the drink of the gods. On the territory of Russia, the balm first appeared in the 18th century - at the time when the Riga pharmacist prepared it especially 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. This is how the "Riga Balsam" appeared, by the way, it had a strength of 16%.
Description
Balm is a liquor product characterized by a pronounced herbal aroma. Refers to multicomponent drinks, prepared on the basis of alcohol with the addition of a variety of roots, herbs, fruits and other components provided for in the recipe. Most often, the 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 balm contains organic acids: citric, malic, tartaric, formic, ascorbic, acetic, etc. It contains micro and macro elements necessary for the body: zinc, copper, chromium, cob alt, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium. In addition, proteins, fats, glucosides, carbohydrates and tannins. The combination of all the above components brings exceptional benefits to the body, uplifting.
Contraindications
It should not be forgotten that alcoholic balms should be taken within the recommended doses. We all knowthat even a medicine in large quantities can become a poison and provoke toxic poisoning in a patient. These drinks should not be taken by patients diagnosed with kidney, liver problems, as well as children, nursing mothers, pregnant women.
Herbal balm: alcoholic drink or medicine
Balsams are a cross between tinctures and liqueurs. This category includes quite strong alcohol (from 40 to 70%), which has a spicy-bitter taste, infused with herbs and spices. The balm differs from other herbal types of alcohol in that it contains a large amount of resinous substances and essential oils, in connection with which it acquires a deep aroma, bitter taste and rich dark color. In order to bring down the bitterness at least a little, fruits or honey are added to the recipe of some balms.
Before, alcoholic balms infused with herbs were taken exclusively as a medicine. Translated from Greek, the name of the product is translated as "medicine". 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 liked the dark spicy drink use it just like that. Thus, balms began to form a separate group of alcoholic beverages that are served at the table. Please note: you can use it no more than 150 ml per day. Exceeding the recommended amount of balmwill not only cause severe alcohol intoxication, but also lead to intestinal problems due to the herbs included in the composition.
How herbs are chosen
Let's consider what the creators of alcoholic herbal balms are guided by when choosing raw materials. Usually, only those plants that have medicinal properties are included in the drink recipe. I would like to note that in order to be engaged in the production of such a product, it is necessary to 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 who were 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 body tone;
- mint - analgesic and sedative plant;
- yarrow - kills bacteria, improves blood clotting;
- Kalgan - astringent and anti-inflammatory agent;
- rosemary - suppresses the herpes virus, strengthens the immune system;
- juniper - treats liver disease, 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 Siberian and Altai. Balms that are produced in America and European countries are called bitters. 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 Bitters";
- "Gorno-Altai" (Russia);
- Maurera (Sweden);
- Campari (Italy);
- "Ussuri" (Russia);
- Jägermeister (Germany);
- "Rizhskiy" (Latvia);
- "Buryatia" (Russia);
- Unicum (Hungary);
- "Karelian" (Russia);
- Abbots (USA);
- "Belarusian" (Belarus);
- "Parnet" (Russia).
Riga Black Balsam
This is a fairly strong alcoholic drink, dark in color and bittersweet in taste. In this category of drinks is one of the most popular. It contains lingonberries, valerian root, raspberries, ginger, linden flowers, birch buds and other rather useful ingredients. It is produced in Latvia and bottled in ceramic bottles.
Bittner Balm
As a medicine, alcoholBittner's balm is used for exacerbation of chronic diseases, it has a therapeutic effect by enhancing the protective abilities of the body and increasing immunity. This is especially true of the time of SARS, influenza, colds. The balm is recommended for use by people who have had any serious illness for a speedy recovery. In addition, it can be used as a preventive measure.
According to patients, this drink has a beneficial effect not only when taken internally, 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, when taken regularly, help get rid of various inflammations of the skin.
Balm "Gorno altaysky"
This drink contains herbs that have effective tonic properties. The balm contains such unique plants as golden root, fireweed, bergenia, poplar and birch buds, bird cherry and sea buckthorn, marin and maral roots, healing Altai bitter honey.
Drinking rules
In this part of the article we will tell you about the ways to use the balm. It can be taken in many ways.
In its purest form.
Drinks can be used as an aperitif or digestif, which are usually served before or after a meal. How to drink balm 40-45 degrees? It is this fortress that has a greater number of balms. They are recommended to drink from small liquor glasses in small sips. Usually the balm is used withoutsnacks, as they can overpower the pleasant aftertaste of the herbs.
With coffee or tea.
How to drink alcohol balm? Added to tea or coffee only 1-2 tsp. of this product will make the usual taste of drinks known to everyone unique. Just one cup is enough to lift your tone and improve your mood. By the way, a person does not get drunk after such tea or coffee.
With other drinks.
Few people know about this method of consumption in our country, it is more popular in the West. A few drops of balm are added to various alcoholic drinks, such as vodka, gin, cognac, wine, whiskey. When mixed, quite interesting and original flavor combinations are obtained. Please note: the strength of this drink is quite high.
In 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 tsp Riga Balsam;
- ½ teaspoon blackcurrant syrup;
- 2 tsp cola;
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice.
All components are mixed in a shaker and poured into a martini glass. Top with a cherry or lemon slice.
Like medicine.
Before proceeding with treatment, it is necessary to know how to take an alcoholic herbal balm as a medicine. Balms are often taken for colds.diseases, runny nose, indigestion, and in addition, to increase the overall tone of the body and raise immunity. In case of severe illness and chronic diseases, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary dosage.
How to make a balm
We offer you to prepare your own, according to the recipe, alcoholic herbal balms with your own hands. Perhaps you yourself are collecting herbs and have all the necessary components at your fingertips. If not, then all herbal raw materials can be easily purchased at the nearest pharmacy or market.
Soothing balm
Required:
- vodka - 1 l;
- sage, motherwort, lemon balm, valerian root - 50 g each;
- honey - 2 tbsp. l.;
- oak bark - 25 g.
Chop all ingredients 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.
Russian balm
Let's give another recipe for an extremely useful and very easy-to-make balm. A healing remedy with the inclusion of fresh ingredients is best prepared in the autumn, when the berries and other components of the balm ripen.
Required:
- 1 liter of vodka;
- 50ml cognac;
- 50 g burnt (brown) sugar;
- 30 g each of dandelion root, hop cones, oak bark;
- 50 g viburnum and sea buckthorn each.
Oak bark, hop cones and dandelion roots pour vodka andremove to infuse for 15 days. After the time has elapsed, 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 balm and add burnt sugar. The product is ready to use.
