The Health Benefits of Medicinal Liquor: A Guide to Selecting the Right Type for Your Condition

The health benefits of medicinal liquor come from the combination of medicine and alcohol. The effects of medicinal liquor vary depending on the different medicinal ingredients used in the formula. Overall, medicinal liquor has a wide range of effects. There are tonic medicinal liquors that nourish the body's Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood deficiencies, as well as medicinal liquors that expel pathogens and treat diseases, each with different effects. Let's take a look at the different types of health-promoting medicinal liquors selected for different illnesses.

1. Selecting Medicinal Liquor Based on Syndrome Differentiation

To select the appropriate medicinal liquor, one must be familiar with the types and properties of medicinal liquors, consider the condition of the illness, and take into account one's own physical condition. The individual constitution of a person can be determined by referring to the traditional Chinese medicine's "Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang Syndrome Differentiation" and "Zang-Fu Organ Syndrome Differentiation" methods.

1. Qi and Blood Syndrome Differentiation

For those with Qi deficiency, the main symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, weak voice, and easy sweating. Pale complexion may also be present. For those with Blood deficiency, the main symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, pale complexion, pale lips, pale nails, and decreased or absent menstruation in females. For those with Yin deficiency, the main symptoms include low-grade fever, flushed complexion, five-center heat (referring to palms, soles, and the heart area), dry mouth and tongue, insomnia, and night sweats. For those with Yang deficiency, the main symptoms include aversion to cold, cold limbs, frequent urination, male impotence, sperm coldness, and female cold abdominal pain and infertility.

2. Zang-Fu Organ Syndrome Differentiation

This method distinguishes the weakness of internal organs, primarily differentiating the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and stomach. Heart deficiency includes deficiencies in heart Qi, heart Blood, and heart Yang. Kidney deficiency includes deficiencies in kidney Yang and kidney Yin. Lung deficiency includes deficiencies in lung Qi and lung Yin, and so on. In addition, organ deficiencies are not limited to just one organ; it's possible to have a combination of deficiencies in two organs. For example, liver and kidney deficiency, heart and spleen deficiency, lung and kidney deficiency, spleen and stomach Yang deficiency, and heart and kidney disharmony. Therefore, it is important to identify the specific organ deficiencies and select appropriate medicinal liquor accordingly in order to achieve the goal of supplementing deficiencies and promoting health.

2. Examples of Common Medicinal Liquors

For those with both Qi and Blood deficiency, medicinal liquors such as Dragon Wind Liquor, Mountain Chicken Invigorating Liquor, Longevity Boosting Liquor, Eight Treasures Liquor, and Ten Complete Invigorating Liquor can be selected. For those with weak Spleen and Stomach, medicinal liquors such as Ginseng Liquor, Dang Gui and Bei Qi Liquor, Longevity Boosting Liquor, and Ginseng and Cinnamon Bark Nourishing Liquor can be selected. For those with Liver and Kidney Yang deficiency, medicinal liquors such as Dang Gui Liquor, Goji Berry Liquor, Ge Jie Liquor, and Ju Yuan Liquor can be selected. For those with Kidney Yin deficiency, medicinal liquors such as Lamb Fetus Nourishing Liquor, Turtle Age Collection Liquor, Ginseng and Deer Antler Liquor, and Three Whip Liquor can be selected. For conditions such as wind-cold-damp arthralgia, post-stroke sequelae, etc., medications such as Duke Liquor and Feng Liao Xing Medicinal Liquor can be selected.

For those with rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, or muscle soreness caused by wind and dampness, medicinal liquors such as Rheumatism Liquor, Wind Chasing Liquor, Rheumatic Bone Pain Liquor, and Fiveleaf Aralia Liquor can be selected. For those with milder rheumatism symptoms, medicinal liquors with gentle medicinal properties such as Papaya Liquor and Blood Nourishing Wind Healing Liquor can be selected. If the rheumatism persists for a long time, or if there is limb numbness or hemiplegia, medicinal liquors with stronger medicinal properties such as Python Liquor, Three Snake Liquor, and Five Snake Liquor can be selected.

For bone and muscle injuries, medicinal liquors such as Bruise and Injury Liquor and Trauma Healing Liquor can be selected. For those with Yang phlegm, medicinal liquors such as Three Whip Liquor, Yang Boosting Liquor, Epimedium Liquor, and Sea Dog Kidney Liquor can be selected. For those with neurosis, medicinal liquors such as Schisandra Liquor, Calming Heart Liquor, and Mimosa Tree Bark Liquor can be selected. For those with menstrual disorders, medicinal liquors such as Women's Menstrual Regulation Liquor and Dang Gui Liquor can be selected.

3. Individual Differences in Medicinal Liquor Usage

The selection of medicinal liquor should also consider individual factors such as gender, age, temperament, and lifestyle habits. Thin individuals tend to have Yin deficiency and Blood deficiency, and are prone to internal heat and fluid damage. They are suitable for tonic medicinal liquors that nourish Yin and Blood. Overweight individuals tend to have Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency, and are prone to phlegm and coldness. They are suitable for medicinal liquors that tonify the heart and calm the mind. When using medicinal liquors for treatment, it is best to seek guidance from a physician and choose appropriate medicinal liquors that target specific conditions.