From the Earth to the Bar

9 Part Series

PART 1 – Introduction and 8 entries

Agave – Bitter Orange – Cacao – Damiana – Elder – Fig – Ginger - Hops

Several natural herbs are used in the creation of certain liquid spirits today.
Depending on the direction of specific use or purpose will determine what herbs
are selected for the Master Distiller’s desired result. Infusing is the process of
steeping or soaking without boiling, to instill individual selections of various fresh
or dried fruits, berries, seeds, peppers, grasses, mint, spices, herbs, plants,
vegetables, hops, and roots into specifically chosen base spirits for accenting flavor.

For instance, Aperitifs is a term for beverages consumed before a meal to

stimulate the appetite. Therefore, the distiller would want to use herbs or the
volatile oils from a specific plant constituent, with stimulant qualities. Lillet,
Dubonnet, and Vermouth fit in this category, which all have a wine base.
Bitters drinks are known to stimulate secretions of saliva and digestive juices.
Angostura, Cinchona, and Wormwood are examples. Aperol, Branca Menta, and
Calisay are some bitter liquors on the market.

Digestifs are liquors produced usually with an alcohol base, consumed after a meal
to stimulate digestion. Bitter Orange, Chicory, Kola Nut, and Star Grass fall into this
category. Campari, Fernet Branca, and Grappa are known as Digestif liquors.
Then you have Aphrodisiacs, Elixers, Herbals, and Tonics to continue with.

The herb Hyssop is known to be in Chartreuse, while Grains of Paradise can be

found in Bombay Sapphire gin. Damiana is a shrub who’s leaves are harvested
for many purposes as well as having its own liqueur known for its aphrodisiac
properties. Delving into Wormwood will show Thujone as the active key
constituent for the production of Absinthe, while the mash of fresh fruit is
used for the clear brandy-based liqueurs known as Eau-De-Vie , with an
aroma and flavor suggestive of fruit blossoms.

Below is a defined list for methods of extracting:

Decoction – A water-based preparation of bark, roots, berries, twigs, and seeds

simmered in boiling water.

Distillation – A purification process, where the given mixture is heated to separate

the volatile parts from its less active parts - Liquid >to Vapor >to Liquid
A volatile oil distilled to produce essential oil.
Infusion – A water or alcohol-based preparation in which flowers, leaves, or stems
are brewed in a similar way to tea.

Maceration – To soften by soaking or steeping in a liquid, to separate the

contitiuents.

Percolation – To cause a fluid, as in boiling water, to pass or ooze through, or

force up and through a filter. A form of steeping.

Tincture – Plant medicine prepared by macerating an herb in water and alcohol,

having a stronger action.

Origins and Medicinal backgrounds of the Plants, Shrubs, and Trees of our planet,
and the herbal extractions that lead to the concoctions and decoctions in various
liquors, liqueurs, cocktails, and tonics for culinary use – today and yesterday.

Root > Bark > Sap > Leaf > Seed > Flower > Fruit > Oil

The following entries have been selected for their various uses and applications,
as well as the most medicinally beneficial. Some are more kitchen-based than bar.

Botanical (Botany) – The biological science of plants

Medicinal – Having the healing and curative properties of medicine

Agave
Agave americana ( Agavaceae ) – Century Plant

Part used – Sap

The sap contains estrogenlike isoflavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and

vitamins A, B, C, D, and K.

Native to the deserts of Central America, it is now grown as an

ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.

A perennial with a large rosette of 30–60 fleshy, sharply toothed leaves

that reach a height of 6 ft, clusters of yellow flowers growing to 3 in,
bloom on a tall pole-like stem after 10 years or more.

A soothing and restorative remedy for digestive ailments, such as ulcers,

stomach, and intestines when inflamed, protecting from infection and
irritation. Agave is related to the aloe plant.

Actions – A demulcent, laxative, and antiseptic.

 Bitter Orange
Citrus aurantium ( Rutaceae )

Part used – Fruit, peel, leaves, flowers, seeds, essential oil

Native to tropical Asia, it is now grown throughout the tropics and subtropics.
Orchards of bitter orange are also found along the Mediterranean coast,
especially Spain.

Evergreen tree growing to 30 ft, with leathery dark green leaves, perfumed white
flowers, and orange fruit.

With a wide range of medicinal uses, it has provided food and medicine for
thousands of years. Oil from its flowers, leaves, and young shoots are used
extensively in perfumery. Orange flower water is also a byproduct of distillation.
Lime and lemon have similar nutritional properties.

Actions – The fruit stimulates digestion, as the juice helps the body eliminate
waste products. Yet, if taken in excess, its acid content can exacerbate arthritis.
In western medicine, the essential oils are used to reduce heart rate and
palpitations, encourage sleep, and to soothe the digestive tract.

Cacao
Theobroma cacao ( Sterculiaceae )

Part used – Seeds, where the pulp contains many constituents that reflect its
flavor, and very small amounts of endorphins.

Native to Mexico and Central America, it is now also a major crop throughout the
tropics, as the seed pods are collected twice yearly. The word chocolate was given
to this tree by the Aztecs.

An evergreen tree growing to 25 ft, with pale brown bark, glossy oval leaves,
small yellow flower clusters, and large red-yellow seed pods close to the size
of a small to medium pineapple.

Most often used as the many food benefits it has, cacao’s medicinal actions
include it being of therapeutic value as a stimulant to the nervous system.
The seeds are taken as a heart and kidney tonic, and the plant may be
used to treat angina, and used as a diuretic.
 Damiana
Turnera diffusa syn. T. diffusa var. aphrodisiaca ( Turneraceae)

Part used – Leaves (fresh and dried)

Native to the Gulf of Mexico, Southern California, the northern Caribbean Islands,
and Namibia. Growing best in hot climates, the leaves are harvested in summer,
when the herb is in flower..

An aromatic shrub growing to 6 ft,

with smooth, pale green leaves and small yellow flowers.

With traditional, historical use of the Mayan people in Central America as an

aphrodisiac, it is also used as a general tonic, and its stimulant action is a
remedy for people with mild depression. The leaves can also be used in a
hot cup of water, as a pleasant tasting tea.
Damiana is also the name of a liqueur from Mexico.

Actions – include use as a restorative to the reproductive organs (testosterogenic),

antidepressant, and a mild laxative.

Preparations – include tablets and tincture (for a relaxing nerve tonic and anti-
depressant), and as an infusion for general tonic, and useful for urinary infections.

Elder
Sambucus nigra ( Caprifoliaceae )

Part used – Flowering tops (fresh and dried), berries (fresh and dried).

Native to Europe, it thrives in woods, hedges, and on waste ground.

It is now found and cultivated in most temperate regions.
Flower tops harvested in late spring. Berries picked in early autumn.

A deciduous tree growing to 33 ft, with oval leaves,

cream flowers, and blue-black berries.

Traditionally known as “Nature’s medicine chest”, elder has as much folklore

as a European plant, as that of mandrake. The berries are nutritious, containing
vitamins A and C. The flowers have many key constituents.

Actions – Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, increases sweating.

Preparations – Infusion of flower tops for colds, cough, and flu, as it tones the
mucous linings of the nose and throat, resisting infection. Also helps with chronic
congestion, allergies, ear infection, and arthritic conditions. Tincture– for hay fever.

Fig
Ficus carica ( Moraceae )

Part used – Fruit, latex

Native to western Asia, fig grows wild and often cultivated in temperate
and subtropical regions.

Deciduous tree growing to 12 ft, with large leaves and fleshy receptacles
that ripen into purple-brown pear-shaped fruit.

Many references to the plant in the Old Testament, due to the fruit’s sweetness
and its use as a medicine. Spartan athletes in ancient Greece were said to eat
figs to improve their performance.

Figs contain close to 50% fruit sugars (mainly glucose), flavonoids,

vitamins, and enzymes.

Actions – When the fruit sugars of the fig are dried, they have a gentle
laxative effect. Fig syrup is a remedy for mild constipation, and the emollient pulp
relieves pain and inflammation. Figs are also a mild expectorant. The latex from the
leaves is known to be analgesic, used to treat insect bites, stings, and warts.
Yet, the latex is toxic, and should not be used internally.

Ginger
Zingiber officinale ( Zingiberaceae ) – Sheng Jian (Chinese)

Part used – Rhizome (fresh and dried), essential oil

Native to Asia, it is also grown throughout the tropics. Grows well in fertile soil, and
needs plenty of rain. The rhizome is unearthed when the plant is 10 months old.

A perennial growing to 2 ft, with lance-shaped leaves,

and stalks of white or yellow flowers.

Known as one of the world’s best medicines, as it brings relief to digestions troubled
by motion sickness, morning sickness, and is an important circulatory remedy.
Fresh ginger is given for fever, headaches, and aching muscles.

Actions – Antiemetic, carminative, circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory,

antiseptic, and inhibits coughing. It’s therapeutic benefits are due to its volatile
oil and gingerol content. Turmeric is a close relative to ginger.
 Hops
Humulus lupulus ( Cannabaceae )

Part used – Strobiles (female flowers), fresh and dried.

Native to Europe and Asia.

Even though their grown commercially throughout northern Europe,
when left wild, they grow on dumps and along roadsides.
Picked in early autumn, and dried at a low temperature.

A tall, climbing perennial growing to 22 ft.

Hop plants are either male or female.

Hops have been cultivated for brewing beer since at least the 11th century,
and are directly related to Marijuana (cannabis sativa), but does not contain
the active key constituent THC (delta 9 – tetrahydrocannabinol).

Actions – Sedative, soporific, antispasmodic, aromatic bitter.

The bitter taste largely accounts for the herb’s ability to strengthen and stimulate
the digestion, increasing stomach secretions, and relaxing spasms and colic.
Hops make a valuable remedy for sleeplessness and excitability, and are
believed to have an estrogenic effect.

Definitions

Aerial Parts Parts of plant growing above ground

Annual Plant that completes its life cycle in a year

Antioxidant Prevents oxidation and breakdown of tissues

Antispasmodic Relieves muscle spasm, or reduces muscle tone

Aril Secondary covering over the seed in certain plants

Aromatic Plant with high levels of volatile oi

l
Astringent Tightens mucous membranes and skin,
reducing secretions and bleeding from abrasions

Aphrodisiac Excites libido and sexual activity

Axil Upper angle formed by leaf stem and supporting stem or branch
Ayurveda Traditional Indian system of medicine