As a family doctor, I often encounter a variety of health concerns and demands. Once, a middle-aged male patient came to my office with a haggard face and a somewhat depressed mood. He confided in me about his years of alcohol addiction, and at the same time expressed his curiosity and confusion about the traditional tonic liquor. He said, "Doctor, I can't quit drinking, I've heard that some medicinal drinks are good for the body, but I really don't know how to choose, and I can't make them myself." ”
This is not an isolated case. Many people have similar concerns about how to use traditional Chinese medicine to support their health. Medicinal liquor, as a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, can indeed play a role in adjuvant treatment and health care in certain situations. However, incorrect selection and use of methods can not only be unhelpful, but even harmful.
Choose the right medicinal wine ingredients
Choosing the right medicinal wine ingredients is the first step in making an effective and safe medicinal wine. The choice of materials needs to take into account the individual's physique, health status and specific needs. Here are a few commonly used medicinal wine ingredients and their main effects, you can make a reasonable choice according to your needs:
Astragalus - Astragalus has the effect of enhancing immunity and improving physical performance, and is suitable for people with weak constitution and frequent colds.
Red Dates - Red dates can replenish blood and calm the nerves, and are suitable for people with insomnia, palpitation, and paleness.
Goji Berries - Goji berries help fight fatigue and anti-aging, and are suitable for people with blurred vision and sore waist and knees.
Angelica - Angelica sinensis is suitable for dizziness and yellowish skin tone caused by blood deficiency, especially for women.
Ginseng - Ginseng is an excellent tonic and body-strengthening herb for people with fatigue and loss of appetite.
When choosing medicinal wine materials, the following points need to be noted:
Personal constitution: People with different constitutions are suitable for different medicinal materials, such as hot constitution, should avoid using warm medicinal materials.
Health conditions: People with specific diseases such as hypertension and diabetes should avoid using medicinal herbs that may aggravate their condition.
Freshness and quality of medicinal materials: Choose good quality and properly processed medicinal materials to ensure the efficacy and safety of medicinal wine.
Consult a professional: In case of uncertainty, it is best to consult a TCM practitioner or pharmacist to ensure that you choose the most suitable herbs for you.
The basic recipe and proportions of medicinal liquor
When it comes to making medicinal liquor, mastering the right recipe and proportions is key. This not only affects the effectiveness of medicinal liquor, but also affects the safety of use. Here are a few common medicinal liquor recipes and their proportions, suitable for different health needs:
1. Immunity-boosting liquor
Ingredients: 100 grams of astragalus, 50 grams of wolfberry
Alcohol: 500 ml of liquor (50% liquor is recommended)
Ratio: The ratio of the total weight of astragalus and wolfberry to the volume of wine is about 1:5
2. Blood-tonifying and soothing medicinal wine
Ingredients: 50 grams of angelica, 100 grams of red dates
Alcohol: 500 ml of liquor
Ratio: The ratio of the total weight of the herbs to the volume of the wine is about 1:5
3. Anti-fatigue medicated liquor
Ingredients: 30 grams of ginseng, 50 grams of goji berries
Alcohol: 500 ml of liquor
Ratio: The ratio of the total weight of the herbs to the volume of the wine is about 1:5
Methods and steps for soaking medicinal liquor
Soaking medicinal liquor is a process that requires patience and delicate operation, and the correct steeping method can maximize the extraction of the active ingredients in the herb while retaining its efficacy. Here are the detailed steps and how:
Preparation of Materials:
Choosing herbs: Choose the right herbs according to the previous article.
Alcohol selection: It is generally recommended to use liquor with a degree of 40 degrees or more, because the alcohol with a high number can better dissolve the active ingredients in the herbs.
Soaking Steps:
Preparation of herbs:
Cleaning: Gently wash the herbs with water to remove surface impurities.
Slicing: For harder herbs such as astragalus and ginseng, thin slices can be made to increase the contact area.
Herb drying:
Dry the cleaned and cut herbs in a cool place and avoid direct sunlight to prevent the active ingredients in the herbs from being destroyed.
Soak:
Container selection: Use clean, dry glass or ceramic bottles, and avoid plastic or metal containers to avoid affecting the quality of the medicinal liquor.
Place the dried herbs in a container and pour in plenty of liquor to make sure the herbs are completely submerged.
Sealed: Seal the container tightly to avoid alcohol volatilization and impurities.
Storage & Observation:
The soaked medicinal liquor is placed in a cool, dry and dark place, and the soaking time is generally 1-3 months, depending on the type of medicinal herb.
Regularly check the color and smell of the medicinal liquor to ensure that there is no odor and mildew.
Filtration & Storage:
After the soaking is completed, the medicinal liquor is filtered through a non-woven fabric or fine mesh sieve to remove the residue.
The filtered liquor should be stored in a clean glass bottle and kept tightly sealed.
Notes:
Ensure that all utensils are clean throughout the process and avoid introducing any factors that could contaminate the medicinal liquor.
If you have any doubts about herbs or alcohol, you should consult a professional.