More Than Just A Drink: Why Vernors Is ‘Michigan’s Medicine’

Families have their own home remedies for a variety of things. Growing up, my parents had a routine they'd do on us kids whenever one of us was sick: witch hazel on our feet, a humidifier with a towel to clear our sinuses, and two liters of pop for upset throats and stomachs.

Specifically, the pop that became an unofficial medicine was Vernors; the Michigan-made ginger ale has been a part of Michigan's identity since its creation in the 1860s. But while many swear by the drink's healing capabilities, does it really help the body, or is it just the placebo effect?

Detroit PBS via YouTube

It turns out there may be some evidence of its medicinal properties. For this, we need to look no further than the inventor of Vernor's, James Vernor.

James Vernor: Pharmacist, Soldier, and Entrepreneur

James Vernor introduced Vernor's Ginger Ale in 1866. He was a pharmacist before serving in the Civil War, and upon his return, he opened his own pharmacy, where he began selling his ginger ale. It was a quick hit, and he eventually outgrew his pharmacy.

READ MORE: Vernors Turns 160 With a Detroit Birthday Celebration

This medical expertise helped him create a drink to help consumers rather than just sell a bubbly product. The two aspects of the drink that help people the most:

• Ginger, which is used to calm upset stomachs
• High carbonation, which is said to ease a sore throat.

According to the Detroit Historical Society, people commonly consume Vernor "mixed with lemon juice and served hot" to help with sore throats and a cough.

Does Science Back Up 'Michigan's Medicine'?

The use of ginger is scientifically sound, but where things get a bit inconsistent is the use of carbonation. Doctors actually recommend against consuming carbonated/caffeinated drinks for sore throats, as they may provide temporary relief from pain but can actually further irritate the throat. This is why people tend to heat it up for sore throats, and serve it like tea.

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Will that stop Michiganders from sticking to tradition? Probably not, but James Vernors' medical background did lead to Vernors not just being pseudoscience.