Medicinal wine is a combination of traditional Chinese medicine and white wine. The medicinal ingredients are soaked in the wine, allowing the various active components of the herbs to dissolve in the wine. The wine enhances the effectiveness of the medicine, improving its therapeutic effects. The preparation of medicinal wine is simple and easy to do, yet the results are remarkable.
Medicinal wine has a long history in China. Through long-term medical practice, doctors have recognized that wine is not only a stimulant but also a higher-level medicine. It is a liquid made from grains and fermentation starter, characterized by its strong aroma, clear quality, bitter-sweet taste, and hot nature. It has the functions of dispersing blockages, promoting blood circulation, resolving phlegm, warming the spleen and stomach, nourishing the skin, and more. It can be used directly as a "medicine" to treat conditions such as joint pain, weakness in the legs, poor mobility, cold limbs, and abdominal pain. It can also be used in the formulation of prescriptions to enhance the effectiveness of certain medications. By soaking the herbs in wine or using wine as a medium, the medicinal effects of the herbs can be quickly realized, taking advantage of the principle of accelerated blood circulation with the help of wine. This organic combination of wine and medicine forms a complete medicinal wine recipe.
There are various types of medicinal wine with different formulations, and they are used to treat different diseases. Individuals should choose medicinal wine that suits their own needs. It is best to consult an experienced traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who can consider various factors and prescribe an appropriate medicinal wine recipe.
There are many methods for preparing medicinal wine, such as hot soaking, cold soaking, quenching method, decoction and mixing with wine, and brewing method. Different herbs and different functions require corresponding preparation methods. For home preparation, the cold soaking method is the simplest. Clean herbal slices or crushed herbs can be placed in a ceramic jar or a glass container with a cork lid. Add an appropriate amount of wine, based on the water absorption capacity of the herbs, in a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10. Seal and soak the herbs, shaking the container every day or every other day to ensure full contact between the herbs and the wine. After 18 days, the medicinal wine can be filtered using a gauze cloth.
The selection of medicinal wine should be based on one's own physical condition. For elderly people with general weakness in qi and blood, a medicinal wine that tonifies both qi and blood can be chosen. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that individuals with a thin and weak body tend to have deficient yin and blood, prone to phlegm and cold intolerance, and should use medicinal wine that tonifies the heart and calms the spirit.
Medicinal wine has many advantages compared to other forms of medicine: ⑴ Easy to take: Drinking medicinal wine, unlike other forms of traditional Chinese medicine, allows for smaller doses. Although some medicinal wine recipes contain a wide variety of herbs, the effective ingredients of the herbs are all dissolved in the wine after it is made, reducing the dosage compared to decoctions and pills. It is also convenient to take because medicinal wine can be purchased or prepared in advance, allowing for long-term use without the need for frequent medication preparation, saving time and effort.
⑵ Wide range of applications: Medicinal wine can be used for both prevention and treatment. It can be used to treat more than 190 common diseases in various clinical departments. It can also be used for health maintenance, skincare, post-illness recovery, and daily consumption for longevity. It is truly a versatile remedy. No wonder some people call medicinal wine "magic wine" and consider it a precious treasure in Chinese medicine.
⑶ Rapid absorption: Since wine constitutes a large proportion of medicinal wine, it has the effect of accelerating blood circulation and promoting meridian activation. After drinking medicinal wine, the absorption is rapid, allowing the medicinal effects to take effect early. Due to the rapid absorption of alcohol by the body, the medicinal properties of the herbs are absorbed into the bloodstream, circulating throughout the body, and exerting therapeutic effects more quickly. Clinical observations show that the therapeutic effect of medicinal wine is generally 4-5 times faster than that of decoctions and even faster than pills.
⑷ Accurate dosage: Medicinal wine, unlike other traditional Chinese medicine formulations, has a fixed concentration of active ingredients in a uniform solution. By taking the appropriate amount, the therapeutic dosage can be accurately controlled, providing peace of mind for consumption.
⑸ Acceptable taste: Wine has always been a necessary element for banquets and celebrations. Drinking medicinal wine does not have the spiciness of regular wine or the bitterness of decoctions. It has a mild and pleasant taste, making the treatment of diseases a pleasant experience. Most medicinal wines contain sugar and honey as part of the formulation, which can mask the taste and odor of the medicine. Therefore, even people who are not accustomed to drinking alcohol can easily accept medicinal wine due to its sweet taste.
⑹ Easy preservation: Medicinal wine is easier to preserve compared to other forms of medicine. Wine itself has certain antiseptic and preservative properties, allowing it to be stored for a long time without spoilage. As long as the medicinal wine is properly made, stored in a light-proof and sealed container, it can be preserved for a long time without deterioration. Furthermore, long-term stored wine becomes more fragrant and delicious.
⑺ Fast-acting and high efficacy: Medicinal wine takes effect throughout the body with the circulation of the blood. With the effects of alcohol, it quickly exerts its action, achieving rapid therapeutic effects. For individuals accustomed to drinking alcohol, the dosage of medicinal wine can be slightly higher than for others because their bodies have developed a tolerance to alcohol. However, caution should be exercised to avoid excessive consumption. For individuals not accustomed to drinking alcohol, it is advisable to start with a small dosage and gradually increase it to the desired amount, slowly adapting to it. Medicinal wine consumption should be individualized, taking into consideration one's physical constitution, the severity of the condition, and the potency of the medicinal wine. When choosing tonifying medicinal wine, the individual's physical condition and the severity of the condition should be considered. Guidance from a doctor is recommended when using medicinal wine with therapeutic functions.
While using medicinal wine for the treatment of diseases and strengthening the body, the following points should be noted:
⑴ Medicinal wine is still alcohol and should not be consumed in excess. Excessive consumption can be harmful to the body because medicinal wine is different from regular wine. It contains medicinal ingredients, and excessive consumption can lead to adverse effects. Dosage should be controlled and tailored to the specific condition.
⑵ Some individuals may experience side effects from certain medications. If dizziness, nausea, or other side effects occur after consumption, the medicinal wine should be immediately discontinued or replaced with another one. Medicinal wine is not suitable for everyone and should be selected based on individual needs. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should not consume medicinal wine. Elderly individuals with weak constitution should reduce the dosage due to their slower metabolism and slower digestive and absorption systems. When experiencing symptoms such as cold, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, it is not suitable to consume tonifying medicinal wine. Patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, digestive system ulcers, infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis, epilepsy, heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency, high blood pressure, and other conditions should not consume medicinal wine as it may cause adverse effects, even potentially endangering life.
Editor's reminder:
When using medicinal wine topically, first apply the wine to the affected area, then repeatedly press, knead, and massage the area and its surroundings, using additional techniques such as pinching, tapping, and rotating to enhance the therapeutic effects and achieve the best results. It is recommended to use lukewarm friction, as this helps the medicinal wine penetrate into the subcutaneous tissue and exert its effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and reducing inflammation and pain. The massage should last for 15-20 minutes each time, once a day or every other day, with a general course of treatment consisting of 5 sessions. It is important to adhere to the application and not skip it intermittently.
