Spirits and liqueurs in European traditional medicine: Their history and ethnobotany in Tuscany and Bologna (Italy)

摘要: Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance and background Fermented drinks, often alcoholic, are relevant in many nutritional, medicinal, social, ritual religious aspects of numerous traditional societies. The use alcoholic drinks herbal extracts is documented classical pharmacy since the 1st century CE it recorded ethnobotanical studies Europe, particularly Italy, where used for a wide range medicinal purposes. Formulations uses represent singular tradition which responds to environmental cultural factors. Aims This research has two overarching aims To determine how long ancient uses, recipes formulas liqueurs from pharmacopoeias herbals 18th persisted later periods their role present knowledge areas Tuscany Emilia-Romagna (Italy). trace other possible relationships among recent beverages, both popular ‘classic’ (learned) sources N-C Italy neighboring areas. Methods review pharmacopoeias, field work Alta Valle del Reno (Tuscany Emilia Romagna, Italy) were followed systematic study ingredients with multivariate analysis techniques. Results clearly shows six different styles preparing beverages: 1. wine formulae by Dioscorides (1st CE). 2. Florence Bologna CE. 3. formularies Santa Maria Novella Castiglione (19th early 20th centuries 4. data Appennino Tosco-Emiliano; home-made formulations based almost exclusively on local resources. 5. Traditional NE Austria. 6. NW Emilia, Provence (France). A total 54 (29 fruits) 48 species combinations proportions (Italy) produce fermented liqueurs, distilled spirits aromatized wines. Among these, 37 (33 species) as remedies. 15 (14 also prepare specific liqueurs. Most addressed treatment diseases digestive system, dyspepsia particular, respiratory system symptoms, not elsewhere classified skin subcutaneous tissue, fundamentally allergic origin. Conclusions Although wines, countries Europe these show terms little influence (Italy), they apparently play no Tosco-Emiliano similarly France No (or very poor) persistence was found 16th pharmacies Tuscany. Popular strongly dependent availability wild cultivated plants. Overall, wines extremely simple involving one single ingredient few, locally produced or collected selected resources form non-alcoholic aqueous extracts. Fruits gathered forests main this aspect similarities those Tyrol (Austria). Medicinal analyzed mainly employed digestives.