How long should medicinal wine be steeped before drinking?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
The soaking time for medicinal wine is affected by environmental temperature. In general, in a high-temperature environment where the temperature is above 30°C, it can be consumed after soaking continuously for 7–15 days. However, it must be stored refrigerated afterward to prevent spoilage of the medicinal ingredients. In low-temperature environments, it takes 15–30 days before consumption. This is because, at lower temperatures, the active ingredients are less readily extracted into the alcohol, thus requiring a longer soaking period.
Generally speaking, how long medicinal wine needs to be soaked before consumption mainly depends on the ambient temperature. In high-temperature environments, it usually becomes ready to drink after soaking for 7–15 days. In low-temperature environments, it may require soaking for 15–30 days before consumption. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Numerous medicinal materials can be used for soaking in alcohol, such as Panax notoginseng, ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, astragalus, ginger, and Imperata root, among others. In high-temperature conditions, such as during summer when the temperature exceeds 30°C, the soaking time can be appropriately shortened, and the wine generally becomes drinkable after 7–15 days of soaking. This is because higher ambient temperatures facilitate better dissolution of the medicinal components into the alcohol, allowing the therapeutic effects to manifest within a shorter time frame. However, after soaking in summer, the medicinal wine should be stored in a refrigerator to prevent spoilage and maintain its efficacy.
Conversely, if the soaking process occurs in a low-temperature environment—for example, during winter when using the aforementioned herbs—the medicinal ingredients dissolve less readily into the alcohol, making it difficult for the therapeutic effects to manifest quickly. Therefore, the soaking time should be appropriately extended, possibly for 7–15 days, to ensure sufficient dissolution of the herbs into the alcohol. To shorten the soaking time, it is recommended to stir the mixture regularly with a wooden stick during the soaking process.
It should be noted that all preparations of medicinal wine using traditional Chinese herbs should be conducted under the guidance of a physician to avoid unauthorized combinations. Additionally, since medicinal wine contains alcohol, consumption should be moderated to prevent excessive intake.
