🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Wintergreen Seed Wine
[Herbal Composition] Ligustrum fruit 15 sheng, Glutinous rice 3 dou
[Function and Indications] Nourishes liver and kidney, brightens eyes, blackens hair, prolongs life and enhances longevity. Suitable for liver-kidney yin deficiency, lower back pain, dizziness, tinnitus, premature graying of hair, and blurred vision.
[Dosage and Administration] Drink适量 as needed.
[Preparation Method] Mix ingredients, steam until cooked, ferment with yeast to make wine. Alternatively, use cold soaking method: soak appropriate amount of Ligustrum fruit in wine for seven days before use.
[Source] Ming Dynasty · "Medical Convenience"
Note: In traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of wintergreen seeds, same name but different species. One is the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae family), commonly known as Ligustrum fruit; the other is the fruit of Ilex chinensis (Aquifoliaceae family). The former is sweet-bitter, cool in nature, used for clearing heat and nourishing yin, supplementing kidney and improving vision; the latter is also sweet-bitter and cool, primarily used to dispel wind and tonify deficiency. Both can be used to prepare medicinal wines. The "Wintergreen Seed Wine" described here uses the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum, i.e., Ligustrum fruit. Modern pharmacological studies show that Ligustrum fruit contains ligustrazine, which helps relieve fatigue. Its alcohol extract significantly counteracts chemotherapy-induced leukopenia and increases white blood cell count. It also enhances coronary blood flow and has certain anticancer effects. The health-preserving and longevity benefits of "Wintergreen Seed Wine" in "Medical Convenience" are related to these pharmacological actions of Ligustrum fruit.