Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Alcohol has a historical and traditional role in the treatment of colic in adults, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this period, alcohol-containing remedies such as spirits (e.g., brandy, gin, whiskey) were commonly administered to relieve a variety of gastrointestinal complaints, including colic, due to its muscle relaxant and analgesic properties. Medical texts from the era, as well as folk medicine traditions, reference the use of alcohol to "soothe the stomach" and alleviate cramping or pain associated with colic. The rationale was largely empirical, based on observed symptomatic relief rather than controlled scientific study.

However, modern scientific evaluation does not support the efficacy of alcohol for this purpose. In fact, alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, worsen underlying conditions, and lead to dependency or other health problems. Contemporary guidelines and medical literature do not recommend alcohol for the management of colic in adults, and its use has been largely abandoned in favor of safer and more effective therapies. The evidence supporting its historical use is therefore rated low, as it is based on tradition rather than scientific validation.

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