Abstract
Objective : The aim of this study is to analyze medicinal herbs, the ingredients of traditional Korean liquor, focusing on efficacy in the traditional Korean medicine. Through this study, for vitalizing traditional Korean liquor market, the researchers attempt to explain the superiority of traditional Korean liquor and the advantages of using herbs to brew alcoholic beverages. Method : We conducted a research targeting traditional Korean liquors in domestic market from July through september 2012, and finally 70 kinds of liquor were selected and analyzed. Results : Among traditional liquors, fermented liquors are most common. When comparing regions of brewery, the central region of Korea, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, is major brew area. 37 liquors contain just one medicinal herb. followed 10 liquors contain two medicinal herbs. The most frequently used medicinal herb is Ginseng Radix. And Lycii Fructus, Schisandrae Fructus, Angelicae Gigantis Radix and Chrysanthemi Indici Flos are well used medicinal herbs to brew traditional liquors. In the classification of efficacy of medicinal herbs, tonifying and replenishing medicinal herbs are most popular as ingredients in the traditional alcohols, astringent medicinal herbs, exterior releasing medicinal herbs and heat clearing medicinal herbs are also frequently used. Investigation of tastes and properties of the herbs, it reached a conclusion as below: sweet taste is most common, followed by sour taste and bitter taste. Warm property is account for 50% approximately, followed by cold property. Conclusion : Medicinal herbs have been widely used in the traditional Korean liquor. It came out into the open that the liquor with medicinal herbs is very good for our body in terms of longevity and invigoration. However, liquor consumers concern about not only the efficacy but also the taste, scent and color. Therefore, further study about these things would be required to demonstrate the superiority of the traditional Korean liquor.