Xu operated a liquor shop selling bulk "Bailaoquan" white liquor. He also added Chinese herbs like Aconitum carmichaeli and Aconitum kusnezoffii to the liquor to produce medicinal wine for sale.
Wan, suffering from back pain, purchased the medicinal liquor "Dispels Wind and Dispels Cold" from his fellow villager Xu. That evening, after drinking the liquor, Wan felt numbness in his mouth and bitterness in his throat. After drinking some plain water, not only did the symptoms fail to subside, but he also began vomiting. Subsequently, Wan was taken to the hospital but died despite rescue efforts. Forensic examination determined that Wan died from aconitine poisoning.
Many people have the habit of making medicinal wine by adding herbs like gecko, deer antler, cordyceps,goji berries, reishi mushrooms, and ginseng. Soaking herbs in alcohol not only fully extracts their active ingredients but also leverages alcohol's warming and dispersing properties to promote blood circulation, effectively distributing medicinal effects throughout the body. This method also facilitates long-term storage and convenient consumption.The Thousand Gold Prescriptions states: "When one person drinks it, the entire household remains free of disease; when an entire household drinks it, the entire neighborhood remains free of disease." Tusu wine, made by steeping rhubarb, white atractylodes, cinnamon twig, platycodon root, and fangfeng root in liquor, was an essential beverage for all ages on ancient New Year's Eve. Drinking mugwort wine during the Dragon Boat Festival and camellia wine during the Double Ninth Festival were also practices to ward off epidemics.
Given the numerous benefits of medicinal wine, why did Wan Mou lose his life after drinking it? The culprits were the ingredients Chuanwu and Caowu. Both are intensely pungent and heating substances that dispel cold and dampness, but they contain toxic aconitine. The lethal dose for Chuanwu is typically 10-30 grams, while for processed Caowu it is generally 10-20 grams.Aconitine poisoning symptoms typically appear 0.5-1 hour after ingestion. Initial signs include numbness and sensory abnormalities in the skin and mucous membranes, followed by decreased body temperature and blood pressure, slurred speech, drooling, sweating, vomiting, dizziness, headache, palpitations, slowed heart rate, and irregular heartbeat. Severe cases may develop respiratory center paralysis.
Due to the significant toxic side effects of Sichuan Aconite and Raw Aconite, pregnant women, children, the elderly, the frail, and those with impaired cardiac function should use these herbs with extreme caution or avoid them altogether. Raw preparation is strictly prohibited. The folk practice of soaking raw Sichuan Aconite or Raw Aconite in alcohol to treat lower back and leg pain, rheumatic bone pain, or joint soreness is highly dangerous.To mitigate toxicity, strict dosage control is essential, and these herbs should be appropriately combined with harmonizing agents and corresponding antidotes such as licorice, ginger, mung beans, or honey. For poisoning cases, besides immediate hospital transport, administer 200-400 grams of honey dissolved in hot water; or prepare a decoction with 15 grams each of ginger and licorice, plus 30 grams of honeysuckle.Folk remedies like rice washing water or mung bean soup also effectively stop vomiting and detoxify.
Key Information on Sichuan Aconite and Wild Aconite
1. Sichuan Aconite and Wild Aconite "counteract Pinellia, Trichosanthes, Fritillaria, Cynanchum, Bletilla, and Aconitum.
2. Avoid combining with ephedra.
3. Avoid concurrent use with alkaloid-based medications.
4. Avoid concurrent use with heavy metal salts, iodides, or enzyme preparations.
Medicinal Liquors: Improper Consumption May Harm Health
Medicinal liquors integrate traditional Chinese therapeutic and tonic methods, combining the dual benefits of alcohol and herbs. This synergy significantly enhances medicinal efficacy.
Medicinal wines currently sold on the market can be broadly categorized into two types based on their primary medicinal ingredients: those focused on treatment, such as wind-dispelling wines and rheumatic bone pain wines; and those primarily aimed at tonifying deficiencies and nourishing the body. When selecting a medicinal wine, one should not only be familiar with the properties of various alcoholic bases but also choose based on individual constitution.
Beyond commercially prepared varieties, many prefer crafting their own medicinal wines based on folk recipes or verified formulas. It is crucial to note that before making homemade medicinal wine, one must select safe and reliable recipes or consult a physician to understand the properties and appropriate applications of the herbs.
Once prepared, the consumption of medicinal wine also requires careful consideration. Ancient medical texts advise: "Medicinal wine replenishes deficiencies; it should be taken in small doses for a gradual effect." Therefore, even those with high alcohol tolerance should avoid excessive consumption. Overconsumption not only leads to intoxication but may also cause toxic reactions if the medicinal ingredients exceed safe levels. Experts recommend a daily limit of no more than 50 grams per person.
Additionally, individuals with impaired liver or kidney function, hypertension, tuberculosis, or severe heart disease should avoid or exercise extreme caution when consuming medicinal wine. Elderly or frail individuals, whose metabolism is relatively slower, should reduce their intake appropriately. Consumption should be temporarily avoided during illnesses such as colds, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.