Alcohol was once utilized for medical purposes, although it is primarily used today for its recreational benefits. Contrary to popular assumption, alcohol isn't solely used to make people hungover.
Even today, people drink alcohol for purposes other than getting wasted. It is frequently employed in spiritual and religious practices like transubstantiation, which uses pure grape wine. Wine is thought to turn into the blood of Jesus Christ during this Christian ritual, also known as communion.
Some Buddhist monks advocate mindful drinking, which relaxes the mind and lets inhibitions flow freely rather than stifle them. Alcohol is used in a variety of ways by many cultures all over the world. While some of these rituals are utilized purely for entertainment, others have spiritual significance. More of these traditions are practiced to enhance health. Although you might not consider alcohol to be healthy, it can occasionally be utilized as medicine.
What types of beverages were therefore utilized medicinally? We covered the history of alcohol as medicine in this blog post. Keep reading to see how civilizations used alcohol as medicine.
China Was Much Ahead Of Its Time Back Then
Northern China is where alcohol was originally used medicinally during 7000–6000 BCE. Clay casks from this era are the oldest known example of alcohol manufacture. These barrels held rice wine that had grape and honey flavors. Depending on the patient's sex, age, and condition, it was thought to have a variety of health benefits. There are still many herbal treatments available in China that contain alcohol. These medications are typically believed to warm and energize your blood. Even consuming alcohol is advised in some Chinese medical books as a cure for specific ailments. They also go through its negative effects and abuse potential.
Pharaohs Loved Beer
The next-oldest mention of alcohol being used as medicine comes from Pharaonic, Egypt, and dates to 3400 BCE. Nekhen, also known as Hierakonpolis, is thought to have been the site of the first brewery. Ancient Egyptians considered brewing, especially the brewing of beer, to be an art. Because they cherished beer so much, the ancient Egyptians regarded it as a "necessity of existence."
This love of alcohol was brought on by certain cultural and religious beliefs. The god of wine in ancient Egypt was Osiris, who was also the god of life and death. These people's history and culture both included alcohol. Alcohol was seen as a remedy by the ancient Egyptians as well. For example, many Egyptians in this period believed alcohol to be a rejuvenating remedy.
Ancient Greece Favored Wine
Even at present, wine is renowned for its many health advantages, including a reduced risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular illness. The ancient Greeks utilized wine as medicine before it was widely studied. This beverage was employed as a treatment for both the body and the mind in Classical Greece. Doctors frequently recommended it to both men and women. Everything from cancer to wounds to foul breath was treated with wine. A wine's effectiveness was influenced by its age, color, provenance, flavor, consistency, and aroma. In addition to diseases that result in "an overpowering heaviness of the brain," the renowned physician Hippocrates said that wine is a suitable cure for several other conditions. Hippocrates wrote a great deal about the advantages and disadvantages of alcohol drinking throughout his lifetime.
England and The Gin Craze
Moving forward a couple of centuries, gin became popular in England in the 18th century. Gin quickly gained popularity as a result of the introduction of distilled juniper water by Holland's King William of Orange. Gin was utilized during this time to cure stomach aches, gout, and gallstones, as well as to maintain the kidneys, liver, and heart in general. Dr. Robert Bentley Todd, an Irish physician, supported its validity as medicine. He said that gin aided the body's inherent healing mechanisms. Unfortunately, many people were unaware of the harmful effects of regular alcohol consumption. Gin's accessibility and cost in Britain contributed to a sharp rise in gin addiction among the general public.
Conclusion
As you can see, the use of alcohol as medicine dates back a very long time. Alcohol has been used for medicinal purposes almost everywhere in the world. Drinking alcohol has a long history of being beneficial for health, from ancient China to the Roman Empire. These medicinal innovations helped shape the alcohol industry into what we know and enjoy today, even though many of them are now considered to be antiquated.
Now it’s time for alcohol delivery!
We do not think that you should use alcohol as medicine but as an entertainment tool. And for that purpose, Juicefly can offer the fastest alcohol delivery in Los Angeles. Here are some of the bottles you can order now!
SEAGRAM PLATINUM SELECT VODKA
Seagram's Platinum Select 100 Proof vodka from Indiana is a superb, extra-smooth vodka that is deserving of the label Platinum Select. Since 1857, Seagram's vodka has stood for quality and history as a name that people know and trust. made with superior American grain.
BACARDI GOLD
Bacardi Gold matures in toasted oak casks, giving it its expertly crafted, complex flavors and golden hue. A warm orange zest end and a mild, oaky aftertaste perfectly complement the smooth, rich tastes of buttery caramel, toasted almonds, and sweet bananas in Bacardi Gold.
LA PINTA POMEGRANATE LIQUER
Tequila, and the characteristic fruit of Spanish culture, the pomegranate, are united in La Pinta, a proud representation of the blending of two worlds. La Pinta matures for a full year to allow the pomegranate juices in this 80-proof Clase Azul Blanco Tequila to fully infuse.
JOSE CUERVO SILVER
The most popular tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. The blue agave plant was used to create this premium spirit in Jalisco, Mexico. To guarantee a clean, crisp finish, Jose Cuervo Silver is double-distilled.
JAGERMEISTER
Jägermeister was first employed as a digestive and anti-inflammatory remedy for stomach ailments, eczema, and persistent coughs. Jägermeister is a popular after-dinner drink in Germany, sipped to ease digestion, even though many of us only know it as a shot. The finest herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits from throughout the world are used to make Jägermeister. Jägermeister strives to offer you the best-tasting German liqueur by only using the best ingredients. Even though the complete list of ingredients is closely kept, one sip of this herbal beverage will transport you to every continent. Before they reach Jägermeister perfection, each batch is aged for up to a year.
