Pálinka in Hungarian folk medicine

In Hungarian folk medicine, there was a prevailing belief that a few drops of homemade pálinka can cure everything but death. There were only two possible outcomes anyway, either the patient recovered or the village drank the remaining pálinka at his funeral. The iconic Hungarian fruit spirit had been widely used for all sorts of ailments and nuisances. These traditional health practices still live among locals as part of Hungarian culture. We have rounded up the best natural remedies that give relief to anything from toothache to baby tantrums. Just don’t go overboard if you decide to try them at home! 

Natural Cure for Sore Throat 

Do you feel itchiness and irritation in your throat? Forget throat pastilles that come with limited flavors!

Flush that pain down the drain by irrigating with 60% pure traditional fruit brandy! 

Alcohol has been known for centuries for its antibacterial properties; therefore, gargling with pálinka can be a legit home remedy even today. 

In order to get maximum results, you have to keep a gulp of brandy in your mouth for at least one minute and then spit it out. Oh, wait! It would be a shame to let that precious nectar go to waste! Pálinka also acts as an excellent painkiller if you consume it internally! 

Best Practises for Common Cold

As the Brits have their rum-flavored tea, Hungarians add pálinka to their cuppa, especially if they are coming down with a cold. You get the best of two worlds: the soothing warm sensation of the tea as well as the antibacterial effect of the strong spirit. The merry combination of these two drinks would warm up anyone on cold winter days. You can also inhale the hot steam lingering over the cup. Your stuffy nose will thank you. 

Even if this cold-fighting recipe only provides temporary relief, it’s still better tasting than most popular cough medicine. Plus, it’s guaranteed to put you in a better spirit, unlike those nasty syrups. 

Easing an Upset Stomach 

Whenever you get invited to someone’s home, you barely cross the threshold and you already find a shot of pálinka in your hand given by the host. It was no different in the old times either. 

Pálinka was said to prepare your stomach for a meal as well as to kickstart your digestion after eating.