Angelica
a perennial aromatic shrub; roots and seeds believed to boost immunity and have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Many popular spirits products—perhaps most notably, gin—were originally conceived as medicinal tonics.
Below are some of the most common flavoring agents used in spirit and liqueur production
and their medicinal/pharmaceutical applications.
Anise
white-flowered plant whose seeds are a key flavoring in sambuca, pastis, ouzo, etc. Medicinal uses include as a digestive, antibacterial, and expectorant.
Apricot
said to contain the highest concentration of antioxidants called carotenoids.
Artichoke
contains the highest concentration of antioxidants among vegetables. Artichokes are also rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamins B&C.
Bergamot
popular in perfumery as well as spirits production; oils also used in aromatherapy treatments.
Blackberry
berries have high nutritional content; roots are used in herbal medicine to treat diarrhea.
Caraway
essential oils of the plant have a scent reminiscent of anise; seeds used for digestive disorders.
Cardamom
spice used widely in cooking that also has a variety of medicinal applications, including for dental hygiene; to treat lung congestion; and to dissolve kidney/gallstones.
Chamomile
part of the sunflower family; its extract has been used to treat stomach aches, as a sleep aid, and as an ingredient in mouthwash. The extract is also thought to lower cholesterol, among many other beneficial properties.
Cherry
high levels of Vitamin A & C and high concentration of anthocyanins (useful in lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation).
Chestnut
both the leaves and bark of the tree, as well as the “fruit,” are used in a wide variety of applications. Chestnuts are surprisingly high in Vitamin C.
Cinchona
a.k.a. quinine; the bark of this large evergreen shrub is best known as an anti-malarial, but it has also been used to stimulate digestion and kill parasites.
Cinnamon
the bark has been shown to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and has been used to treat colds and hypertension.
Clove
dried flower buds of the clove tree; the essential oils contain eugenol, which has antiseptic and anesthetic qualities.
Cochineal
an insect which produces carminic acid, which is used to produce the bright red dye used as a coloring in many popular liqueurs.
Coriander
a.k.a. cilantro; the dried “fruit” (seeds) have a citrusy flavor, as they contain terpenes (linalool; pinene). Medicinal applications include relief of anxiety; sleep aid; diuretic; and digestive.
Cumin
intensely aromatic seed high in iron; it also has digestive properties.
Frankincense
dried sap of a tree native to Northeast Africa; used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and analgesic.
Gentian
flowering Alpine plant whose roots are one of the most popular ingredients in medicinal (and commercial) bitters. Used as a digestive, an anti-inflammatory, and a host of other curative purposes.
Ginger
volatile oils in the roots improve gastrointestinal function.
HELICHRYSUM
Name of a genus of Mediterranean flowering plants in the sunflower family. They come in many colors but the best known varieties have tight bunches of small yellow flowers. Perhaps best known for their use in anti-inflammatory skin treatments. The Helichrysum italicum species is often steam-distilled to create an aromatic essential oil redolent of wildflower honey and citrus. The essential oil is considered both anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
Hibiscus
warm-climate plant with trumpet-shaped flowers in an assortment of colors. Purported medicinal uses include: antifungal; laxative; emollient. All parts of the plant (seeds, leaves, flowers) have medicinal uses.
Hyssop
Brightly colored shrub producing aromatic flowers used in antiseptics and expectorants. Hyssop is a key flavoring in Chartreuse, known for its minty aroma.
Iris
roots are rich in terpenes and organic acids and are used in both perfume and medicinal applications.
Juniper
oil from the “berries” (seed cones) of a juniper bush used as a curative for urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses, and rheumatism.
Laurel
leaves contain essential oils and fatty oils alike, with antioxidant and analgesic properties, among others.
Lavender
The very Mediterranean, very aromatic shrub has some medicinal uses but is mostly valued in cooking.
Lemon
antiseptic properties from high concentrations of citric acid.
Lemon Balm
perennial herb whose crushed leaves can be rubbed on the skin as an insect repellent. Minty/lemon scented, with antibacterial and antiviral properties, thanks to the presence of a compound called eugenol.
Liquorice/Licorice
The root of a legume containing glycyrrhizin, an antiviral/anti-inflammatory compound. It also contains isoflavones, which mimic the action of estrogen. In all, the assorted medicinal uses are many, including as a treatment for arthritis and as an antiviral.
Marjoram
Indigenous to the Mediterranean, this perennial aromatic herb is widely used in essential oils and is rich in vitamin C.
Mint
used mostly as a digestive aid due to the presence of compounds such as menthol and pulegone.
Myrrh
dried sap or resin from trees native to the Middle East, used in Chinese medicine to treat arthritis and circulatory problems. Used also as an antiseptic in mouthwash.
Myrtle
part of the same family of trees and shrubs that includes Eucalyptus, the myrtle best known in liqueur production is a small, strongly scented evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and dark berries. It produces essential oils used to treat digestive and respiratory illnesses.
Nettle
extracts from this spiny plant have been used as pain remedies, anti-inflammatories, and diuretics, among other uses.
Nutmeg
seed of an evergreen tree species native to Southeast Asia; essential oil produced from nutmeg is used in cough syrups. Also used as a digestive aid.
Orange
the essential oil of the citrus aurantium (“bitter orange”) has long been prized in both perfume-making and medicine. Bitter orange has been used in herbal medicine as a stimulant/appetite suppressant.
Oregano
aromatic Mediterranean herb rich in phenols and flavonoids, with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Rhubarb
the stems and roots contain anthraquinones, phenolic compounds which have laxative properties.
Rose Hip
the rosa canina variety produces small reddish fruits, or “hips,” which are not only used in herbal teas but also contain compounds which help reduce arthritis pain.
Rosemary
extremely high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B6, with strong antioxidant properties from an assortment of natural acids.
Saffron
spice derived from the dried “stigma” of the flower crocus sativus (saffron crocus). Contains carotenoid dye and is also said to have antidepressant and insecticidal properties.
Sage
one of the most widely used “healing plants,” whose essential oils contain cineole (anti-inflamattory, antioxidant), borneol (pain relief; insect repellent), and, more notoriously, thujone (a monoterpene, once wrongly identified as a cannabinoid, considered to be toxic in larger doses).
Star Anise
derived from the fruit of an evergreen tree native to China, it contains anethole (also found in anise, which is nevertheless unrelated). Used to treat rheumatism and as a digestive aid.
St John’s Wort
prolific perennial herb with yellow flowers native to Europe, used in herbal treatments for depression and ADHD.
Tarragon
perennial herb related to wormwood high in Vitamns A and C, with antiseptic and digestive properties.
Thistle
the roots of this spiny plant have stimulant and hepatic (liver-related) properties, among other uses.
Thyme
this herb was traditionally used as a stimulant and anti-spasmodic; It contains an essential oil called thymol, a strong disinfectant.
Tonka Bean
seed pod of a tropical plant strongly reminiscent of vanilla in scent. It contains coumarin, an appetite suppressant, which can be toxic in high doses.
Valerian
a perennial plant with white/pink flowers, used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. Used for sleeping disorders, as a muscle relaxer, and to treat stomach pain. Natural acids in the plant also useful as mood stablizers.
Vanilla
a ubiquitous flavoring agent but not one with many medicinal applications.
Verbena
also called lemon verbena, is a perennial shrub native to Latin America that contains compounds with antifungal properties.
Walnut
seeds were used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the kidneys, back, and brain.
Wormwood
Part of the Artemisia genus of plants, which contains hundreds of species of herbs and plants rich in aromatic oils. Wormwood, a.k.a. Artemisia absinthium, is a silver-green plant with pale yellow flowers, contains active substances including silica, malic acid, and thujone, and was traditionally incorporated into tonics for a variety of ailments.
Yarrow
A perennial plant whose pink-white flowers contain a host of beneficial acids,. Flavonoids, tannins, and other compounds, which are used as components in aspirin as well as cold remedies (fever reducers).
SOURCE
Italian Liqueurs: History and Art of a Creation, by Renato Vicario (Welcome Books/Rizzoli USA; 2020)
