Yellow Rice Wine / Chinese Rice Wine
Aliases：Rice wine (special name for medicinal use), Aged wine, Shaoxing wine, Huadiao wine, Jiafan rice wine.
Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) is a Chinese medicinal. It is also one of the oldest types of alcoholic beverages in the world, of pure Chinese origin. It serves both as a daily beverage and as a commonly used medicinal guide (drug vehicle) in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as an indispensable seasoning in cooking for removing fishy odors and enhancing aroma.
Efficacy & Actions
Warm the meridians and dispel cold; activate blood and resolve stasis; dispel wind and eliminate dampness; unblock collaterals and relieve pain; fortify the spleen and nourish the stomach; supplement and enrich Qi and Blood. In addition, it is able to: enhance the action of other medicinals, guide herbs to their target meridians, resolve toxins and eliminate parasites, and beautify the skin as well as delay aging.
Indications
Wind-cold-dampness bi (painful obstruction), spasm and contracture of sinews and vessels, chest impediment and heart pain (angina pectoris), cold pain in the heart and abdomen, epigastric and abdominal cold pain, amenorrhea due to blood cold, various postpartum disorders, traumatic injury, and vomiting and diarrhea due to deficiency‑cold.
Modern Pharmacology
Clear hepatoprotective potential: The functional polysaccharides abundant in Huangjiu have been confirmed to possess hepatoprotective activity. They can inhibit the initiation and progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) by regulating intestinal microbiota homeostasis and repairing the intestinal barrier. This means that the non‑alcoholic components in Huangjiu can, to some extent, mitigate the hepatotoxicity of ethanol itself. Potential metabolic improvement effects: Studies suggest that Huangjiu may suppress appetite, reduce body weight and blood glucose by modulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, it has a certain effect on improving hyperlipidemia induced by a high‑fat diet.
Ingredients
Multiple amino acids: Contains over 17 types of amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body. Functional polysaccharides: This has been a research focus in recent years. Among them, a highly branched α‑glucan is one of the key components responsible for its health benefits. Rich minerals: Abundant in essential mineral elements such as potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). Other trace bioactive substances: Also contains various functional factors such as phenolic compounds, oligosaccharides, and γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Usage & Dosage
As a medicinal guide (drug vehicle): 15–50 ml. For health maintenance (warm consumption): 100–150 ml per day. External use: Appropriate amount.
Contraindications
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: When consumed on an empty stomach, the absorption rate of alcohol is much faster than when taken with food. Therefore, never drink Huangjiu on an empty stomach. Control the amount of alcohol consumed: Huangjiu has a mild taste but a strong aftereffect, making it easy to overconsume. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022 Edition), the daily alcohol intake for adults should not exceed 15 g. Children, adolescents, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and individuals with chronic diseases should not consume alcohol. Contraindicated populations: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and patients with liver disease should strictly avoid drinking Huangjiu.
Selected Formulas
1. Wenpi Jiu (Spleen‑Warming Wine) Ingredients: Dried ginger (Ganjiang) 30 g, licorice (Gancao) 30 g, rhubarb (Dahuang) 30 g, ginseng (Renshen) 20 g, processed aconite (Zhi Fuzi) 20 g, Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) 500 ml. Preparation: Crush the medicinal herbs, steep them in Huangjiu in a sealed container for 5 days, then filter to remove the residue. Usage: Take 10–20 ml warm in the morning and evening. Actions and Indications: Warms the middle, dispels cold, relieves pain, and unblocks the bowels. Indicated for epigastric and abdominal cold pain, constipation, or chronic dysentery due to Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold. Source: This formula originates from Zaibing Guangyao (Extensive Compendium of Miscellaneous Diseases). A traditional medicinal wine formula. 2. Jin Huangjiu Fang (Great Qi‑Blood Tonifying Wine) Ingredients: Contains more than twenty medicinal herbs including ginseng (Renshen), Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), prepared rehmannia (Shudihuang), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), etc. Preparation: In summer use baijiu (white liquor), in winter use Huangjiu. Place the herbs in a cloth bag, immerse in the wine in a sealed container. Steep for 14 days in spring, 7 days in summer, 14 days in autumn, and 21 days in winter. Usage: Drink a few cups daily. Actions and Indications: Tonifies deficiency of qi and blood, regulates the spleen and stomach, nourishes kidney water, strengthens the lower back and legs, benefits energy and spirit, refreshes the mind and brightens the eyes. May be used for daily health maintenance. Source: This formula comes from the ancient text Ren Shu Bian Lan and emphasizes that it “can be taken regularly”. 3. Huangjiu Walnut Paste Soup Ingredients: 5–9 walnut kernels (crushed into a paste), white sugar 50 g, Huangjiu 25–50 g, one bowl of water. Preparation: Mix the walnut paste thoroughly with white sugar. Add Huangjiu and water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Usage: Take warm twice daily, 100–150 ml each time. Actions and Indications: Tonifies the kidney, calms the spirit, moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels. Indicated for neurasthenia, headache, insomnia, as well as constipation due to yang deficiency (difficult defecation, cold limbs, cold pain in the abdomen). Source: This formula is a common folk dietary remedy and also appears in modern health preservation cookbooks.
Daily Consumption
1. Huangjiu Cooked Tofu Ingredients: 2 pieces of firm tofu (or 6–8 pieces of dried white tofu), 250 g Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine), scallions (chopped), light soy sauce to taste. Preparation: Pan‑fry the tofu until slightly golden. Add the Huangjiu and simmer until the liquid is mostly absorbed by the tofu. Finally, add chopped scallions and light soy sauce to taste. Actions and Indications: Activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, warms the middle, and tonifies deficiency. Especially suitable for low back and leg pain due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, as well as for those with cold hands and feet, intolerance to cold, and poor appetite. Source: Recommended by Professor Yang Zhimin, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. A modern home‑style health recipe. 2. Huangjiu Stewed Young Rooster Ingredients: 1 young rooster (approx. 500 g), 500–1000 ml Huangjiu, Sichuan peppercorns (huajiao), table salt, and cooking oil to taste. Preparation: Cut the rooster into pieces and stir‑fry until fragrant. Add the Huangjiu and seasonings, then stew until the meat is tender and thoroughly cooked. Actions and Indications: Tonifies the kidney, assists yang, unblocks the meridians, and improves hearing (benefits the ears). Indicated for tinnitus, deafness, frequent urination, and scanty or weak sperm due to kidney yang deficiency. Source: This formula originates from Yiji Tongyi Daquan (Complete Collection of Ancient and Modern Medical Works). A classic medicinal diet formula for tonifying kidney yang. 3. River Snail Soup Ingredients: 10–20 large river snails, 50–100 ml Huangjiu. Preparation: Remove the snail meat, mix with Huangjiu, add water, and stew until cooked. Actions and Indications: Clears heat and promotes diuresis. Indicated for damp‑heat jaundice, scanty dark urine (oliguria with dark yellow urine), and wasting thirst disorder (Xiaoke). Source: This formula comes from Chinese Medicated Dietology. A classic formula for clearing damp‑heat. 4. Green Plum Cooked Wine Ingredients: 30 g green plums (fresh or dried), 100 ml Huangjiu. Preparation: Place the green plums and Huangjiu in a porcelain cup, then steam in a double boiler for 20 minutes. Usage: Take 30 ml warm each time. Actions and Indications: Fortifies the spleen, stimulates appetite, warms the viscera, and calms ascaris (roundworm). Indicated for poor appetite, abdominal pain due to roundworm, and chronic diarrhea caused by dyspepsia. Source: This formula is from Chinese Medicated Diet Dictionary. A classic formula for strengthening the spleen.
Medicinal Parts
Finished fermented rice wine liquid (or finished wine liquid)
Selection & Storage
Low temperature, protected from light, airtight, and shock‑proof.