Bái Jiǔ (白酒) — Clear rice wine / spirit
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Bái Jiǔ (白酒) — Vinum — is known in English as Clear rice wine / spirit. It belongs to the category of substances that unblock Yang and move the Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and within tailored prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
I prescribe Bái Jiǔ as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bái Jiǔ |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 白酒 |
| Latin name | Vinum |
| English name | Clear rice wine / spirit |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, sweet |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Lung, Stomach |
| Category | Regulate the blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi and disperses Cold
- Invigorates the Blood and frees the channels
- Carries the action of other herbs upward and outward
Indications
- Chest painful obstruction with Yang blockage, as in Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang
- Cold, painful obstruction of the channels
- Used as a vehicle for soaking medicinal wines
4. Key formulas containing Bái Jiǔ
Bái Jiǔ is an ingredient in a number of classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 332 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Rice wine or clear spirit is used in classical formulas as a vehicle to enhance the circulation of other herbs. Also referred to as Lao Jiu (aged wine).
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications.
No classical incompatibilities are recorded for Bái Jiǔ in the Shi Ba Fan or Shi Jiu Wei.
7. Cautions and contraindications
Alcohol is not appropriate for anyone with liver disease, dependence, pregnancy, or taking medication that interacts with alcohol. Modern practice usually substitutes a non-alcoholic preparation, and I do not recommend alcohol for therapeutic purposes.
Pattern contraindications
Avoided in all Heat patterns, Yin deficiency and Damp-Heat.
Modern drug interactions
No specific drug interactions are well established for Bái Jiǔ at normal prescribed doses. As with all Chinese herbs, tell your herbalist about every prescribed medication so the formula can be reviewed for interactions and adjusted where necessary.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
In modern practice I prepare these formulas without alcohol. Bái Jiǔ is documented here for completeness of the classical record rather than as something I recommend.
Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
