Root beer is a great, traditional North American beverage brewed with sassafras root, licorice root, and sarsaparilla root. Most historians believe that the invention of an actual root beer recipe happened by pure accident, because of an inventive pharmacist, eager to create a miracle drug.
In 1870, an unknown pharmacist experimenting with many roots, berries and herbs, created a recipe for root beer which contained juniper, wintergreen, spikenard, pipsissewa, sarsaparilla, vanilla beans, hops, dog grass, birch bark and licorice. This drink was in fact medicinal in nature. Unfortunately, nowadays companies make their root beers from commercially sold root beer concentrates which include many questionable ingredients. So what more delicious way to bring the nourishing, healing properties of the roots into our diet than making our own Homemade Root Beer?
Health Benefits of Root Beer
The licorice root has many health benefits and has been used for a very long time to treat various medical conditions such as adrenal fatique, influenza, coughs, dandruff, fungal infections, ulcers, emphysema, gout, heartburn, viral infections, hot flashes, cancer sores, and more.
Recent research has shown, however, that women can find relief from hot flashes by about 80 percent when they consume licorice. This is due to a compound in licorice that mimics estrogen, helping to ease symptoms.
Scientific research has found that the glycyrrhizin of the licorice root when broken down in the stomach shows inflammatory properties that have similar effect to hydrocortisone. Because of this hydrocortisone effect, the licorice root can also help to support the adrenal glands by helping to balance the production of the hormones the adrenal gland produces.
Other ingredients…
* vanilla: stimulates the central nervous system
* sarsaparilla root: helps with hives, sinusitis, PMS and menopause
* sassafrass root: for nail problems, rheumatism, gout, skin problems
* birch bark : reduces pain, lowers risk of heart attack
DIY Licorice Root Beer Recipe Treat Adrenal Fatigue, Inflammation, Hot flashes, and more
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 oz dried sassafras root bark (where to find)
1/4 oz dried birch bark
1/4 oz dried sarsaparilla root (where to find)
1/8 oz dried licorice root (where to find)
1″ piece unpeeled thinly sliced fresh ginger
1 split vanilla bean
4 qts filtered water
2 cups molasses
1/8 tsp active dry yeast
DIRECTIONS:
- Bring four quarts filtered water to a boil and stir in sassafras, sarsaparilla, vanilla, licorice, ginger, birch and wild cherry bark. Reduce the heat to a slow simmer and simmer for twenty minutes.
- Strain root-infused liquid through cheesecloth-lined sieve into a very clean plastic container. Discard solids. Stir in molasses.
- Combine yeast and 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl. Let sit about 5 minutes. Add yeast liquid to the jug through the funnel, screw the cap back on, and shake vigorously. Now you’re ready to bottle the root beer.
- Pour into bottles. Screw lids on tightly; ferment at room temperature for 12 hrs. Chill 2-5 days. After about 48 hours, check the carbonation by sampling your test bottle.
- When ready to drink, open bottles very slowly.
