: Alcohol effectively extracts active ingredients (like alkaloids and essential oils) that may not dissolve well in water-based teas.
: Small amounts of medicinal wine are believed to supplement the body, moving "Qi" (energy) and blood to alleviate stagnation and pain. Chinese Medicinal Wines & Elixirs
: These elixirs are frequently used for "Wind-Cold-Damp" conditions, such as arthritis and joint stiffness, as the wine helps drive herbal properties deep into the bones and joints. Historical Foundations Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs by Bob Flaws such as arthritis and joint stiffness
"Chinese Medicinal Wines & Elixirs" by Bob Flaws is a comprehensive guide to the historical and therapeutic use of alcohol-based herbal infusions in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For over 3,000 years, medicinal wines (known as Yao Jiu ) have been used to extract herbal properties and deliver them efficiently through the body's circulatory system. Chinese Medicinal Wines & Elixirs
In TCM, alcohol is considered a powerful solvent that enhances the "warming" properties of herbs and invigorates the blood.