Meisterwurzbrand

Traditionally produced spirit drink from the roots of Masterwort (Imperatoria ostruthium syn. Peucedanum ostruthium) in North Tyrol and East Tyrol.
 
 
Record number: 37
 
Disclosure date
First mention of Meisterwurz (Masterwort) as Astrenica by Hildegard von Bingen in her work “Physica” (between 1150 and 1160).
  
 
Title
Meisterwurzbrand
(Masterwort spirit drink)
 
Abstract or claim
Traditionally produced spirit drink from the roots of Masterwort (Imperatoria ostruthium syn. Peucedanum ostruthium) in North Tyrol and East Tyrol.
 
Name of product, product class
Spirit drinks 
  
Name of region
North Tyrol, East Tyrol, Austria
 
Field of search
Agriculture and Spirit drinks 
 
Name of information provider
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Name of applicant for title
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Holder of knowledge or associated resources
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Grantee(s), holder(s) assignee(s)
or owner(s) of title, if any
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Descriptors
 
- History:
First mention of Meisterwurz (Masterwort) as Astrenica by Hildegard von Bingen in her work “Physica” (between 1150 and 1160). In the Middle Ages, the plant was also called “Magistrantia” and was considered a medicinal plant.
 
In the 16 ^th   century the Latin species name ostruthium occurs for the first time, the scientific name of the species which is used today.
In the 17 ^th   century, Masterwort was an ingredient of the universal remedy “orvietan” which consisted of 24 herbs.
Masterwort was not only used for medical purposes, but also as a magic root.
Masterwort was considered an effective remedy against poisons, dog bites, lack of appetite, stomach upset, gout, and rheumatism.
However, in the course of time it lost its good reputation - probably because it was frequently confused with other, similar-looking umbellifers. Only recently its reputation has improved again.
 
- Region:
In the Alps and in the low mountain regions of North Tyrol and East Tyrol.
 
- Meisterwurz (Masterwort):
Masterwort (Imperatoria ostruthium syn. Peucedanum ostruthium) is a wild-growing mountain plant of the family Umbelliferae.
It is also referred to as Magistranz or Ostruz; popularly, it is called Haarstrang, Bergwurz and Kaiserwurz.
 
The linguistic origin of the words Magistranz or Ostruz is interpreted differently in literature.
 
Masterwort is found even in areas far above the timber line. Masterwort roots growing at altitudes between 1800 and 2200 meters above sea level are best suited for distillation.
 
The plants prefer humid, shady habitats such as brooksides or sites where snow lasts long in spring. The perennials grow exuberantly and in dense groups of shrubs. Their hollow stalks grow up to 1.30 meters high. The leaves are rich in shape, the flowers are white to reddish and arranged in large 5-ray umbels.
 
The roots are dirty-yellow to brown in colour and show a milky fluid in their white inner parts. They have a strong odour and a pungent, aromatic taste which remains in the mouth for a long time. This complex and distinctive root aroma which, if anything, resembles celery and spices, is in its characteristic form also found in the spirit drink.
 
Active compounds contained in the roots include essential oils, cumarins (ostruthin, peucedanin, terpene etc.), resins and tannins.
The aromatic root triggers warmth within the body and acts tonifying to the gastrointestinal tract. It is used in the treatment of indigestion and flatulence, asthma and bronchitis, gout and rheumatism.
Masterwort spirit drink is recommended in cases of stomach upset.
 
Due to the requirements of nature conservation the digging up of roots is subject to a licence by the district administrative authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft).
 
- Utilization:
Roots of the Masterwort are used to produce teas and spirit drinks.
 
For the production of sprit drinks the roots are cleaned and finely chopped; after that, the dried or fresh roots are added to a mash of pome fruits and fermented. Depending on the desired intensity of Masterwort flavour, 5 -10 kilogrammes of roots are added to 100 litres of fruit mash. Masterwort spirit drink has a very delicate aroma.
 
- Protection:
-
 
Key words
Agriculture and Spirit drinks, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, North Tyrol, East Tyrol, region, Masterwort, Haarstrang, Bergwurz, Kaiserwurz,Meisterwurz, Meisterwurzbrand, Masterwort spirit drink, Imperatoria ostruthium syn. Peucedanum ostruthium 
 
Bibliography/ References
- PISCHL J. Rohstoffe der Brennerei. In: Schnapsbrennen. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz, 1994; 23.
- JUEN W, WIESER J, BÖHM T. Die Meisterwurz. In: Das Tiroler Schnaps Buch- Edelbrände mit Tradition,  
  Verlagsanstalt Tyrolia, Innsbruck, 2002; 77-84.
- Meisterwurz 
  http://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/meisterwurz.htm
- Hildegard von Bingen und ihre Erfahrungen mit der Pflanze Meisterwurz 
  http://www.heilfastenkur.de/Meisterwurz.shtml
- Meisterwurz 
  http://www.med-surfer.de/heilpflanzenlexikon/m/meisterwurz/meisterwurz.php3 
- Meisterwurz- Ein Meister der Heilkräuter
  http://www.grassl.com/Enzianbote/Enzianbote_03_05.pdf 
- Imperatoria ostruthium. In: Madaus G, Lehrbuch der  biologischen Heilmittel. Thieme 1938.    
  http://212.185.118.226/publlehrbuch/xml/16141618.xml 
- Entwurf einer legislativen Entschließung des Europäischen Parlaments zu dem Vorschlag  
  für eine Verordnung des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates zur Begriffsbestimmung,
  Bezeichnung, Aufmachung und Etikettierung von Spirituosen 
  http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A6-2007-0035+0+DOC+XML+V0//DE 
- Masterwort 
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterwort  
 
Language code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
No 
 
Regional contact
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Authors: Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

01.03.2010, Lebensministerium III/4