What's in your bar?

I must admit that I could be considered a whisky connoisseur.  My bar is adorned with Maker’s Mark, Jameson, Woodfords Reserve, The Balvenie, Booker’s, Blanton’s, and Johnnie Walker to name just a few.  To get to the point, my wife asked me today what type of alcohol I would want to take with me in case of a zombie invasion and if it had any medicinal purposes.  Now, I am not an educated man in the way of the healing powers of alcohol, unless it involves coupling Pink Floyd and whisky to help a character’s voice sing in my skull.  Her question did make me wonder what would I take and how would it help my plight of survival?

Jägermeister has been known to have ingredients of healing, or so they claim with its 56 herbs, spices, and berry concoction which make this dark brown syrupy spirit so intoxicating and irresistible to some.  A list of ingredients that are openly known in Jägermeister are – cinnamon bark, star anise, cloves, ginger root, saffron, coriander, bitter orange skin, chamomile flowers, licorice root, lavender, rose hips, poppy seeds, juniper berries, ginseng, red sandalwood, and blueberries.  So, in the case of Jägermeister, it isn’t really the alcohol that holds a medicinal value, it is the ingredients that help with ailments. Below is a list of the ingredients and their effects on the body -   

Cinnamon bark has been shown to reduce gas, prevent diarrhea, and stimulate appetite.

Star Anise has been shown to improve liver health as well as acts as an anti-viral.

Cloves have been shown to reduce fevers, act as an anti-inflammatory and prevent intestinal cancer.

Ginger Root reduces nausea, inflammation and has been shown to cure mild indigestion.

Saffron has been shown to prevent cancer, vascular and visual disorders, as well as reduce symptoms of depression and ADD.

Coriander prevents gas, is an antispasmodic and stomachic, or herb that improves stomach muscle health.

Bitter Orange Skin is suggested (studies are limited) to be an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, relaxant, antifungal and antibacterial.

Chamomile Flowers reduce gas, cramping and overall indigestion while aiding in relaxation.

Licorice Root may suppress coughs and cure digestive ailments including peptic ulcers, however, studies have had mixed results.

Lavender is used to treat insomnia, stress and anxiety. It's also an anti-inflammatory and antifungal.

Rose Hips promote healthy tissue in the stomach lining as well as prevent diarrhea.

Poppy Seed has long been known to improve digestion and reduce cough.

Juniper Berries are a diuretic, but also have been shown to help treat bronchitis.

Ginseng increases immune system strength, has been proven to reduce the duration of colds, and helps prevent cancer.

Red Sandalwood is suggested to reduce anxiety and increase alertness.

Blueberries are extremely high in antioxidants and fiber, which aids in healthy digestion.