Russians tend to believe, tongue-in-cheekly, that vodka is a remedy against a multitude of health hazards, from a sore throat to radiation. Try half a glass of Stolichnaya with black pepper and you’ll see. (No, I’m not paid to promote Stolichnaya, and it’s not the best Russian vodka, but it’s the brand you should be able to easily access in the US.)
“Vodka is a vitamin,”
said Ho Chi Minh.
(Soviet lore)