Medicinal Wine – The Secret to Traditional Health

Medicinal wine, also known as “herbal wine”, is a type of liquid medicine made by extracting medicinal herbs from plants and animals that have been processed according to specific requirements with alcohol or ethanol at suitable concentrations. Additionally, people often add fragrant and sweet substances to enhance the taste and make it easier to drink.

Note: Medicinal wine is not a regular beverage. It is considered a type of medicine, so it should be used under the guidance of a doctor or qualified herbalist. Self-medication with medicinal wine can lead to unwanted side effects.

Difference between Medicinal Wine and Alcohol-based Medicine:

• Medicinal wine: typically has a lower alcohol content than alcohol-based medicine, usually ranging from 20-35 degrees.

• Alcohol-based medicine: has a higher alcohol concentration, commonly used for disinfection and sterilization.

Composition of Medicinal Wine:

• Medicinal herbs: This is the main component that determines the efficacy of medicinal wine. Medicinal herbs can be plants, animals, or a combination of multiple herbs. Selected herbs must meet quality standards, be less toxic, and effective.

• Preparation of medicinal herbs: Before use, herbs are usually dried, ground into powder, sliced thinly, and can be combined with roasting or soaking to enhance their effectiveness.

• Solvent: Usually alcohol produced by fermenting grains. Alcohol has a characteristic aroma of the raw materials and may be supplemented with some vitamins.

• Flavoring agent: Helps to enhance the flavor of medicinal wine. Natural essential oils from herbs can be used or other types of fragrant essential oils can be added.

• Flavoring agent: Usually sucrose sugar helps to create a sweet taste, stabilize medicinal wine, and prevent precipitation during storage.

• Coloring agent: (if needed) to create an attractive color for medicinal wine.

Role of Alcohol in Medicinal Wine:

• Solvent: Alcohol acts as a solvent for the active ingredients from medicinal herbs and creates a solution that is easily absorbed.

• Drug delivery: Alcohol helps deliver the active ingredients from medicinal herbs into the body quickly and effectively.

Dosage of Medicinal Wine:

• The dosage of medicinal wine depends on the type of medicinal wine, the patient’s condition, and the doctor’s advice.

• Typically: The dosage is 30ml per time, taken in a small cup.

Methods of Extraction for Medicinal Wine:

• Cold soaking: The most common method, where medicinal herbs are soaked in alcohol for a long time.

• Soaking with a combination of herbs: Soaking multiple types of herbs together allows the active ingredients to interact and enhance their effectiveness.

• Complete soaking: Soaking medicinal herbs in alcohol until all the active ingredients are extracted, usually lasting from 20 to 100 days.

• Soaking underground: Soaking medicinal wine in the ground helps the wine become more fragrant and clearer.

• Dissolving from extract: Using pre-processed extracts like tiger bone extract, deer antler extract, dissolved in alcohol.

Note:

• Herbal herbs: Can be soaked together.

• Animal herbs: Should be soaked separately in alcohol.

Methods of combining different extracts:

• Use extracts from each type of herb individually and then combine them together.

• The alcohol content of the medicinal wine after combination is usually 20-30 degrees.

• Minimize precipitation when combining extracts:

• Combine extracts with similar active ingredients and alcohol content first.

• Combine with sugar extracts, syrup, honey, or Tween 80 as a solubilizer.

Preparing Medicinal Wine:

• Combine the prepared extracts together.

• Add additives (if any) and boiled water to achieve the desired alcohol content (usually 20-30 degrees).

Control and Preservation of Medicinal Wine:

• Check: Color, taste, density, sediment content, alcohol content, volume, qualitative, quantitative analysis.

• Storage: Keep in a dry, cool place, avoid direct sunlight.

Some popular types of Medicinal Wine:

• Blood-tonifying and anti-rheumatic wine:

• Alcohol content: 20 degrees.

• Gecko wine:

• Alcohol content: 30-35 degrees.

• Snake wine:

• Alcohol content: 30-35 degrees.

• Five-leaf ginseng wine:

• Alcohol content: 20-30 degrees.

Note:

• When using medicinal wine, be aware of possible side effects such as allergies, nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc.

• Do not use medicinal wine for pregnant women, children, people with liver or kidney disease, or other medical conditions.

• Consult a doctor before using medicinal wine.

Additional information:

• Medicinal wine is a part of the traditional culture of many countries, especially those in the East.

• Medicinal wine is used to treat some diseases like bone and joint pain, rheumatism, wind-cold, physical weakness, etc.

• The effectiveness of medicinal wine also depends on the individual’s constitution.

Conclusion:

Medicinal wine is an effective traditional treatment method trusted by many. However, the use of medicinal wine should follow the guidance of healthcare professionals and be cautious to avoid unwanted side effects.