Io Saturnalia!-a digestive tonic for the festival
Entry posted by Pertinax
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I have been keeping notes to try and produce a handy recipe that would be both beneficial to modern users , and whilst not attested , be understood by our Roman forbears.
I think I have one such ready for the forthcoming Saturnalia, no part of it was unknown in Rome (though some ingredients would be for the rich alone) this mix would be both cleansing and pleasant .
take 1 pint of maderia wine ( so we are talking sweet and rich hence adjust your choice to taste).
1 sprig of wormwood ( those bracing thujones!)
1 sprig rosemary (digestive )
1 small bruised nutmeg
1 inch of fresh bruised ginger root
ditto cinnamon bark ( very pricey in Ancient Rome)
12 large raisins
place all the herbs in the wine , keep in the cool and dark for a week or two .Strain off the herbs,combine this medicated stock with another bottle of madeira -mixing thoroughly! This will settle a jaded stomach nicely if sipped from time to time.
Done with discretion this should make a useful tonic, myself I will aim for a less sweet base and fewer raisins , whilst perhaps adding one (yes one) drop of frankincense.
Reference acknowledgment : Hoffman "Holistic Herbal".
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