The effectiveness of herbal preparations and tinctures has never been in doubt. For this reason, "Ussuri Balm" with a majestic tiger on the label is well known far beyond the Primorsky Territory. The history of the plant, the detailed composition and indications for use, read in our review.
From past to future
In 1889, the Pyankov brothers organized the trading house “M. Pyankov and his brothers. ” Five years later, the main enterprise “Pavlinovsky Distillery” was built. Only 30 people worked in production, and four varieties of cereals were used in distillery.
Today it is simply impossible to imagine the production of alcohol in such small volumes. Largely thanks to the Synergy group of companies, whose brands are quite well-known in the Russian market, it was possible to preserve the famous Ussuri Balsam.
Here are just a few facts about the modern factory:
- area - 46,000 square meters meters;
- state - 803 people;
- 25 own stores;
- More than 2500 customers nationwide.
Range
According to official information, the assortment of Ussuri Balsam OJSC includes more than 100 items that can be divided into the following groups:
- Vodka. “Myagkov”, “Russian Ice”, “Sovereign Order” and others - more than twenty kinds in all. Some of them are created with the addition of unusual ingredients, for example, ginseng extract, bee milk or linden blossom. Fortress - 40 degrees.
- “Dr. Augustus - Brandy.” All kinds of tinctures of berries on cognac, including lingonberries, cherries, bird cherry, rose hips, cherries, prunes and mountain ash. Fortress - 24 degrees.
- “Dr. Augustus - The Bitter.” 40-degree tincture “Ussuri balm” on hot pepper, pine nuts, St. John's wort or cranberries.
- “Dr. Augustus - Sweet.” Bird cherry, lingonberry, apples, cloudberries are tinctures, the strength of which is 20 degrees.
- Aperitifs and liquors. “Juicy Cherry”, “Raspberry Jam”, “Golden Taiga” - an elegant combination of ingredients and a small strength (15-20 degrees)
- “Captain's Rum.” Ussuri Balsam produces only three types of rum: Gold, Strong and Silver. The strongest - Strong - 48 degrees.
What is a balm?
This is an alcohol tincture, the strength of which most often ranges from 40 to 45 degrees. In the composition - all kinds of plant roots, essential oils, healing herbs and fruits. Use balm for the prevention of various diseases or already at the stage of treatment. As a rule, the drink has a dark color and a rather specific taste.
The production of balm is a rather complex and laborious process, which includes several stages. At the very beginning, each of the components is infused for 1-3 months. The ingredients are aged separately from each other in order to get the maximum of useful substances at the output.
After that, the components of the future drink are mixed and filtered to rid the liquid of seeds, blades of grass and other small particles. In the next step, the balm is bottled to begin co-aging. To protect against sunlight, as a rule, choose vessels of a dark color.
The finished drink resembles a medicinal tincture, but has a uniform taste - none of the ingredients should prevail.
Indications for use
Balms due to all kinds of herbs and extracts contain a huge amount of minerals. So, when is it appropriate to use a medicinal drink?
- In the season of colds. With bronchitis or cough, expectoration can be increased.
- To increase appetite. Accepted before meals.
- As a preventative measure for gastritis, peptic ulcers and indigestion.
- For vigor after mental and physical exertion. Relieves general fatigue, relieves insomnia and fights with high nervous excitability.
Contraindications
Despite the huge number of useful components, balm is not a panacea for all diseases. The “Ussuri balm”, which includes more than 20 medicinal plants, is no exception. Before use, it is necessary to carefully study the composition, and it is better to consult a doctor regarding the occurrence of allergies.
Such drinks are absolutely contraindicated for people suffering from liver or kidney failure.
And one more important point - compliance with the dosage. Balms are taken in small amounts in undiluted form or as an additive in tea or coffee.
Unique recipe
During the Soviet Union, thirteen types of drink were produced, and the most popular was Ussuri Balsam. The composition has not changed since the start of production:
- prepared water;
- ethyl alcohol of the highest purification;
- cognac;
- sugar;
- lemongrass juice;
- rosehip and viburnum fruit drinks;
- infusion of orange peel and lemongrass seeds;
- honey.
A special place in the list of components is occupied by the infusion of herbs from the Ussuri taiga: Rhodiola rosea root, plantain leaf, Viburnum and chamomile flowers, raspberry and eleutherococcus leaf, calamus root, peppermint, birch buds, ginseng, and wheedling.
How do herbs help?
The beneficial properties of chamomile pharmacy or peppermint are well known. We will talk about rare medicinal plants that the creators included in the “Ussuri balm”.
The use of eleutherococcus is indicated for low blood pressure, weakness of the body, mental and physical overwork. Trees and thorny bushes of Eleutherococcus are found in western and central China, Japan, East Asia and, of course, Southeast Siberia. The extract of this plant is often part of energy drinks.
Hairpin
Golden scapula is a species of herbaceous plants that are widely used in the Far East, in Eastern and Western Siberia. Since the middle of the 20th century, scientists have been exploring the active components of volodushki.
To date, the content of ascorbic acid, saponins, carotene, flavonoids and tannins has been established. An infusion of herbs is used in the treatment of hepatitis, cholangitis and cholecystitis.
Air
Air marsh is a species of perennial marsh grass that grows in Russia in the Far East, southern Siberia and in the Ussuri Territory. The rhizomes of the plant contain bitter glycoside acorin and essential oil - these components, by affecting taste buds, improve digestion, increase appetite and increase the secretion of gastric juice. In addition, calam strengthens the blood vessels of the brain, improves vision, tones the heart and has a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, soothing effect.
Air as a spice is used in cooking - dried rhizomes are used instead of ginger, bay leaf, cinnamon and nutmeg. In Lithuania and Poland, calamus is added to bread, in India they are seasoned with poultry, fish and meat, and in Turkey candied rhizomes are considered an expensive delicacy.
Ginseng
According to traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng is a source of youth and longevity. This plant also includes “Ussuri balm”. Reviews of doctors attribute it to tonic drugs.
As a stimulant, ginseng is indicated for mental and physical overstrain, neurosis, arterial hypotension and neurasthenia.
The main number of representatives of the Aralieva family (12 species) grows in Asia - in Tibet, the Far East, China and Altai. Five-leaf ginseng is found only in North America.
Classic
“Ussuri balm” today is made according to an old Russian recipe using high technology. The classic drink is easy to recognize thanks to the taste of orange zest. The company actively cooperates with state farms and local farms. The collection of plant components occurs in a strictly defined period of time to preserve all the healing properties.
Buyers note the bitter sweet taste of the balm and are strongly advised to keep warm with it in winter frosts. It is best to add a few drops to coffee or tea, some recommend drinking ice balm, naturally, in moderation.
Series “Ussuriysk”
The products of Ussuri Balsam are not limited to the assortment listed above. In addition to this drink, the plant produces:
- Bitter tincture “Ussuri root with ginseng”. As a part - taiga herbs are combined with a young ginseng root.
- “Ussuri liquor”. The drink was created for the 110th anniversary of the plant. The list of ingredients contains a bouquet of 33 herbs: thyme, Rhodiola rosea, St. John's wort and many others.
- Tincture of “Panta on honey” (“Ussuri balm”). It has a spicy buttery taste that blends perfectly with apple notes. In addition to apple juice, the composition includes tincture of lemongrass, natural honey and pantocrine (a substance obtained from the horns of young maral). Tincture slows down aging, is used to prevent anemia and stimulates blood circulation.
- Tincture "Cedar Pad". It has an exquisite cedar aroma, burning and slightly piquant taste, as well as a shade of light amber. Eleutherococcus extract has been added to the drink.
- Tincture “Aralieva”. It has a peculiar herbal aroma and taste. The composition includes tincture of aralia root, natural honey, lemongrass juice and eleutherococcus extract. Aralia root enhances the ability to concentrate, reduces psychological fatigue and improves mood.
Where could I buy?
Useful properties of "Ussuri balm" no one calls into question. The only question is where to get the miracle drink. Residents of Siberia and the Far East certainly do not have problems, which can not be said about the Central region.
In Moscow, a wide selection of balms can be found only in online markets. Even “Riga Black”, which is produced only in Latvia according to a unique recipe, you can easily buy in large chain supermarkets.
It is unfortunate that Ussuri Balsam OJSC still has not found sales markets in large Russian megacities.