This is the story that I heard: What we know as Jagermeister was originally made by druidic circles, intended to be a medicinal elixer. The original recipe was made in a base of Elk's blood, to which was added roots, herbs, and fruit/berries. Recently I have read that there are 56 different herbs, roots and fruit peelings in the recipe. Most sources do not claim that the stuff contains any kind of animal blood. My feelings tell me there are still certain esoteric circles that adhere to the "original recipe", to be used in ceremony and healing practices. Who will ever really know?