Juniper all medicine
Since ancient times, juniper has been known for its healing properties and during the Plague, juniper berries were massively fired on oil, in the hope of protection and recovery.
After the invention of distillation by the Arabs, the distillation technique was further refined. The knowledge about the medicinal effect of the juniper dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks, so there was plenty of experimentation with this small berry.
'Aqua Vitae'
Benedictine monks from the famous medical school of Salerno also distilled in the 11e century AD juniper berries in wine to make healing drinks. They did this mainly because the juniper was widely used for the treatment of various diseases. This distillate was called 'aqua vitea' or 'living water'. At the end of the 13th century, the low countries were ravaged by a plague epidemic. Jenever is then not only taken as a distillate, but it is also bathed in juniper water if the juniper was smoked. All this in the hope of protection and recovery from the plague.
Did you know?
In the course of the 14th century it was discovered that the 'living water' not only has a healing effect, but also a relaxing and uninhibiting effect. In Holland, the old Eastern distilling techniques are being improved, to be able to distill wine even better.
The stimulant 'Brandewijn' is born!
