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Author: Sylvia Marinova, PhD student in in the "Genomic Stability" lab at BAS

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Gin tonic - a favorite drink, which we can safely call one of the symbols of warm summer evenings, filled with broad smiles and high spirits in the presence of good company. And this is only the simplest variation of this refreshing drink - with a little imagination one could add wonderful notes of variety and taste, and at the end of the article you will find a few original ideas for easy cocktails with gin. Until then - let's turn to the curious and less familiar facts about the history and benefits of gin.

Where-does-gin-come-from

Where does gin come from

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As a national drink of the British, you might easily think that the gin originated from there. But that's not quite the case. It turns out that the drink has a longer history.

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Francisco Sylvius, physician from the Leiden University, is officially thought to be the discoverer of&nbsp; gin. He was first to describe the production of the drink in the 17th century by distilling fermented cereals, namely malt wine, to which "fruit" of juniper was added during the process.&nbsp; It has strong aromatic and healing properties, and the resulting drink he used as a medicine mainly for kidney problems. He called the juniper liqueur - gin (in Latin juniper is Juniperus).

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Although his name is traditionally mentioned as the discoverer of gin, there is various evidence to suggest that even previously, high-alcohol distilled juniper beverages were well known as a medicinal product [<a href="https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1108/gin/history-of-gin-1100s-mid-1500s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]. For example, during the Black Death, the devastating bubonic plague epidemic that spread across Europe in the mid-14th century, there was a belief that distilled juniper drinks helped fight the disease. For this reason, they were very popular.

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Still, how does gin as we know it get to the British and to us? Even before Francisco Sylvius was born, the Dutch had produced large quantities of giniver and traded with it. In the 17th century, during the wars, English soldiers in the low lands called the giniver "Dutch courage". They shortened the name of the drink to gin and brought the new taste to their homeland. Then the gin industry flourished and the famous London gin was born.

What-about-tonic-water?

What about tonic water?

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It is also worth mentioning briefly about the history of tonic - after all, it is half of the drink gin tonic, and its origin is also associated with its healing properties.

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The tonic is a heartless drink and contains a substance called quinine <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Quinine_an_old_anti_malarial_drug_in_a_modern_world_role_in_the_treatment_of_malaria_21609473" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.2]</a>, which is&nbsp; due to its bitter taste. Quinine is an alkaloid, which is found in a large amount in the bark of the quinine tree.

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Historically, tonic water was used to prevent and treat malaria. So did the gin tonic drink - when British soldiers were sent to India to colonize it,&nbsp;they had to take a tonic against malaria. To make it tastier, they started mixing it with gin.

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Today, there is much less quinine in the tonic, but it continues to be consumed because of its specific flavor.

Why-juniper

Why juniper

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Juniperus Communis is a shrub or non-tall tree, different parts of which are used in traditional medicine. The needles, bearing twigs and "fruits" are used, which botanically represent cones and it is incorrect to call them so. For simplicity, the article refers to them as "fruits".

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Many biologically active substances are derived from juniper, which are due to its pharmacological properties, among which apigenin, lutin, quercetin, coumarins, dieterpenoids, etc.

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Juniper for urinary tract problems

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Juniper, as well as some of its close relatives, is used in urinary tract problems. Its leaves contain some antibacterial terpenes. In addition, they also have diuretic properties (increase urination), as well as some other compounds that are found in extracts of the plant.

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Juniper essential oil - a cure for rheumatism

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Besides the "fruit", which can be taken either in the form of syrup or by direct chewing and ingestion in a dose specified by a pharmacist or doctor, juniper essential oil also has well-expressed properties. Its use for rheumatic pains is known when it is applied externally (diluted in base oil) by rubbing.

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Essential oil is also very popular in the perfume industry. It is also an integral part of many flavoring preparations due to its pleasant aroma and the ability to neutralize unpleasant odors.

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Other medicinal properties of juniper

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Juniper is also used for: <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/A_Phytopharmacological_Review_on_a_Medicinal_Plant_Juniperus_communis_27419205" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [ref.3]</a>:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">skin irritations and diseases</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">digestive problems, bloating and heaviness</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">malaria</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">viral, fungal and bacterial infections, etc.</li>
</ul>

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Application of juniper in culinary

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Juniper is a very popular spice among prominent chefs and connoisseurs. It can be used in several different ways.

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Used for smoking meat and fish. Add a few twigs of it to the fire and you will be surprised by the pleasant result.

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The "fruits" can be added to the dishes for a sweet and slightly tart taste.

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Last but not least, juniper is added to the marinade for large game during its canning.

Ideas-for-cocktails-with-gin

Ideas for cocktails with gin

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As promised, I will finish the article with a few easy ideas for cocktails containing gin, which could serve as a refreshment during the summer heat, whether you are on the beach, working on the terrace like me on a Sunday evening or at a garden party with close friends. Here they are:

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Cocktail Gimlet with elderflower

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Great combination if you are in the mood for a sweeter taste. You need:

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50 ml gin

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20 ml concentrated elderflower juice

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30 ml lime juice

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The drink is very refreshing, and allows you to also benefit from elderberry syrup. When desired for a less concentrated drink, just add a little tonic or sparkling water

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Gin frieze cocktail

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For fans of more scholarship tastes. For the cocktail you need:

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25 ml lemon juice

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1 tsp caster sugar

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100 ml carbonated water

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ice

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Beat in a shaker all the ingredients without the carbonated water. Add to the end and serve with a slice of lemon.

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Cocktail gin with cucumber

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Very simple, but also very cooling combination is as follows:

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50 ml gin

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100 ml tonic

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20 ml lime juice

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4-5 pieces of thin cucumber strips

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I stop there with the recipes, encouraging everyone to experiment boldly. For example, a few sprigs of mint would fit perfectly into all three cocktails above. For beauty, you could also add a few forest fruit, but it's all a matter of choice. The secret is to balance tastes well, no matter what combination you opt for.

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And the main thing is not to forget to consume the gin, as well as any other alcohol in moderation. Especially in the summer it is also important to take enough other fluids with alcohol so as not to risk further dehydrating.

History of gin

<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Quinine_an_old_anti_malarial_drug_in_a_modern_world_role_in_the_treatment_of_malaria_21609473" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world: role in the treatment of malaria.</a> 2011, Malar J

<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/A_Phytopharmacological_Review_on_a_Medicinal_Plant_Juniperus_communis_27419205" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Phytopharmacological Review on a Medicinal Plant: Juniperus communis</a>., 2014, International scholarly research notices

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Healing Properties of Juniper - The Secret of Gin 

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 Healing Properties of Juniper - The Secret of Gin

Силвия Маринова

Author: Sylvia Marinova, PhD student in the "Genomic Stability" lab at BAS

Anise is an integral part of so many traditional drinks, that it is very likely that you have already encountered it, be it in our mastic, the Greek ouso, the Italian sambuca, the Turkish brandy (interestingly, like its name, this drink is obtained in a similar way to grape brandy, but anise is added in the fermentation of fruits) or simply at the end of a heavy evening with the high-alcohol absinthe. But you may not remeber the later very well.

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Of course, in addition to the popularity of the herb for the making of alcoholic products, it deserves a lot of attention, too, because of its healing properties - which is why it is also the subject of this article. The anise and its applications are among the most well-known in traditional medicine of many cultures. In ancient Rome, for example, the herb was mainly used as a means of aiding digestion, and the ancient Greeks recommended it in the treatment of cough. In the text we will get to know in more detail the origin, biological features, chemical composition and applications of anise.

Botanical-description

Botanical description

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The most popular variety of anise, which is used for healing purposes, is the plant with the Latin name Pimpinella anisum. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, just like its close relative fennel.

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More read in the article <a href="/p/riezienie_niepoznatata_bilka_za_plosk_koriem" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"> Fennel - The Unknown Herb for a Flat Stomach</a>.

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Famous representatives of this family are also dill, parsley, carrots, celery,etc. Not to be confused with star anise (Illicium verum), which is an evergreen shrub or tree and is known as one of the aromatic spices for mulled wine. Despite the similar name and taste, star anise belongs to another plant family.

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Anise is a herbaceous plant, reaching a height of between 30 and 50 cm, with white flowers and small yellowish seeds. Today, anise is found in the Mediterranean, in Spain, the Middle East, Egypt, Mexico and is cultivated mainly because of its seeds.

Chemical-composition

Chemical composition

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Anise seeds are very rich in essential oil, its main component being trans-anethol, but also it has dianthol,&nbsp; anisaldehyde, etc. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3405664/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.1]</a>.

Anise-has-antibacterial-and-antifungal-properties

Anise has antibacterial and antifungal properties

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Laboratory studies have shown that aqueous and methanol extract of anise seeds have antibacterial action and inhibit the growth of several bacterial strains&nbsp;- Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherchia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae <a href="https://pdfs.nutramedix.ec/Pimpinella%20anisum%20-%20Antibacterial.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.2]</a>. There are other studies that explore and show this effect on other bacterial species.

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Besides antibacterial action, in the scientific literature there are also described data <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/bg/bul/research/pubmed/Antifungal_activity_of_fluid_extract_and_essential_oil_from_anise_fruits_Pimpinella_anisum_L_Apiaceae_16375827" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp; [ref.3]</a>. Suppressing the growth of the fungus Candida albicansis the aqueous extract of anise seeds, while essential oil has a stronger effect against fungi of thegenus dermatophytes.&nbsp;The latter cause superficial inflammation of the skin, hair and nails.

Anticonvulsant-properties-of-anise

Anticonvulsant properties of anise

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As amazing as it sounds, Pythagoras was convinced that anise treated epilepsy and prescribed it against such seizures. As of today there are already scientific reports on the same effect. For example, in 1999, a study was carried out studying the ability of anise essential oil applied at different doses to mice to block artificially stimulated <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/bg/bul/research/pubmed/The_fruit_essential_oil_of_Pimpinella_anisum_exerts_anticonvulsant_effects_in_mice_10433480" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.4]</a>. In 2008, Janachmadi and a collective proposed a mechanism of action according to which anise oil affects the way nerve impulses are transmitted <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18852037/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.5]</a>.

Anise-affects-the-digestive-system

Anise affects the digestive system

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One of the most famous properties of anise is its action on the gastrointestinal system. Besides its beneficial effect on digestion, it has a superb taste and is preferred for seasoning fish and seafood in the Mediterranean, as well as for making&nbsp; sweets.

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Some studies have shown that aqueous anise extract significantly reduces lesions on the gastric mucosa in experimental rats, on which the production of ulcer<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/bg/bul/research/pubmed/Aqueous_suspension_of_anise_Pimpinella_anisum_protects_rats_against_chemically_induced_gastric_ulcers_17373749" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>is stimulated by chemicals &nbsp;<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/bg/bul/research/pubmed/Aqueous_suspension_of_anise_Pimpinella_anisum_protects_rats_against_chemically_induced_gastric_ulcers_17373749" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.6] </a>.

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In addition, anise is believed to favorably affect constipation as well as bloating caused by excess gas. For this reason, aniseed drinks are often classified as so-called digestive drink.

Anise-as-an-antispasmodic

Anise as an antispasmodic

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Another well-known action of the herb is myorelaxant ( relaxes muscles). A study published in 2007 showed the antispasmodic effect of the water-alcohol solution of anise on the smooth musculature of laboratory rats <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/bg/bul/research/pubmed/Antispasmodic_and_relaxant_effects_of_the_hidroalcoholic_extract_of_Pimpinella_anisum_Apiaceae_on_rat_anococcygeus_smooth_muscle_17027208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.7]</a> and justified this use in folk medicine.

Anise-for-the-treatment-of-cough

Anise for the treatment of cough

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Anise from antiquity is used in diseases of the respiratory system. The reason is that the herb has an expectorant effect, which is due to a reflective increase in bronchial secretion.&nbsp;In addition, it stimulates the respiratory center in the brain and thus aids breathing.

Other-anise-actions

Other anise actions

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Other applications of anise are:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">stimulates the secretion of mammary glands</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">relieves menopause symptoms</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">reduces menstrual pain</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">antioxidant action</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">insecticidal effect</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">antiviral effect</li>
</ul>

How-to-consume-it

How to consume it

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Besides being a digestive drink , we can also make a decoction of anise seeds:

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To do this, steam a teaspoon of crushed anise seeds for 15 minutes in boiling water.

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Another application of anise is in culinary. It is a great spice for many dishes such as fish, meat, salad or for pastries, breads and tortillas. It combines well with nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, etc.

Organs and systems