Medicinal Brandy?

[CaptainBob]

Wonder if anyone can help settle a debate I'm having with my gf.

Is there any situation in which a large dose of strong alcoholic beverage is of actual medicinal benefit?

I've added a poll for the fun of it too.

 

[cliff]

Useful relaxant for the totty.
Helps calm the nerves.
Cheaper than amphetamines when one is tired
Helps settle the old "mal de mer"

There are 4 "medicinal uses - any more?
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[stevebrassett]

I am diabetic, and alcohol helps by reducing blood sugars.

 

[davidrainsbury]

On the other hand there are several conditions where alcohol is, as the jargon goes, contraindicated, eg. Hypothermia.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]

Cheaper than amphetamines when one is tired


[/ QUOTE ]
This is a joke, right?

 

[Loginname]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a joke, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

I wondered about that too but then I wouldn't use booze to sort out seasickness though I know that some do.
Personally, I don't think that alcohol has much place on a boat except when you are tied up and unlikely to be going anywhere for sometime.

The only medicinal use I can think of is that spirits can be used to sterilize wounds if nothing else is available...but I may well be wrong.

 

[B175Chris]

I have a 93-year old great aunt in Wales who drinks a pint of Guiness every day (since she was 13), followed each evening by various mixes of whisky and bitter if she feels like it - she swears it's keeping her going!

She never drinks water, either.

 

[Chrusty1]

[ QUOTE ]

She never drinks water, either.

[/ QUOTE ]

I should think not!......fish fornicate in it you know!

 

[stevebrassett]

[ QUOTE ]
On the other hand there are several conditions where alcohol is, as the jargon goes, contraindicated, eg. Hypothermia.

[/ QUOTE ]Definitely. Hot drinks aren't recommended, either.

 

[alan_d]

Can be a useful painkiller, either on its own or (cautiously)
in combination with other analgesics, but care needed not to depress respiration.

Alan

 

[Burnham_Bob]

To tell the truth I think this is the wrong question. Used sensibly alcoholic drinks are enjoyable and the effects in moderation are benign. Agree entirely that drinking and sailing are not good together and that drinking is best done at anchor or in port.

The reason to drink is for enjoyment and pleasure. Medicines are another matter. I'm teetotal but SWMBO enjoys a gin and tonic or a glass of wine on the boat. There's no need at all for an excuse for drinking - it's fun and if you enjoy it just do it!

 

[Kawasaki]

Hey Chris I need Her No.
Somebody about the same age as Me in Wales who doesn't drink the Water!

 

[Dave_Rolfe]

Port and Brandy (50/50) for a upset stomach. Works every time

 

[stevebrassett]

[ QUOTE ]
Port and Brandy (50/50) for a upset stomach. Works every time

[/ QUOTE ]
Cures it? Or stops you caring?

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Cheaper than amphetamines when one is tired


[/ QUOTE ]
This is a joke, right?

[/ QUOTE ]With the tax on alcohol by GB INC. probably not
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[30boat]

I run a dry ship so wouldn't know.And the reason for that is that my worst seasikness episode by far happened many years ago when I took brandy to try to calm my stomach.Never touched it since and never will,especially on board.

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Port and Brandy (50/50) for a upset stomach. Works every time

[/ QUOTE ]
Cures it? Or stops you caring?

[/ QUOTE ]
definitely has a medicinal effect, but if the first two dont work, by the time you have taken the third, you dont care anymore

 

[B175Chris]

Sorry K, too far South, Treorky way, in the valleys! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[lille_bee]

Seriously now, I'm posting this with my Pharmacist's Hat on:
Ethanol (the active ingredient in Brandy) is recognised as an antidote to methanol poisoning:
http://www-clinpharm.medschl.cam.ac.uk/pages/teaching/topics/poison/poison9.html
I also recommend 1-2 units of alcohol (ethanol) as a muscle relaxant for Lumbago/back sprains (unlicensed use). It just "mellows" the patients enough to stop them 'tensing up' and causing themselves even more muscle spasms, in the same way that diazepam (Valium®) is used.
Cheers!

 

[Sans Bateau]

Whatever the likely cures, use brandy freely. But please don't mistakingly use Cognac, its use should be restricted to enjoyment as an after dinner digestif.