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See also: Wine.

This article is about the medical use of wine. For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation).

Wine (Medical Use) dates back centuries to when wine was used to treat and prevent various health conditions in the historical development of human medicine. Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Chinese dynasties were at the forefront of these scientific, medicinal and cultural advances, preparing their wine with the infusion of herbs and medicinal plants. It was also promoted in the bible as having medicinal effects, thus reinforcing its ancient use.

Grape wine is the oldest documented human-made medicine, dating back to over 9,000 years ago, in understanding its religious connection, early practitioners were often priests and religious clergy. In ancient times wine was a key ingredient in curing a wide range of common ailments due to the presence of Resveratrol (from the skin of the grapes), a polyphenol that supports bodily systems and was a staple inclusion in most diets, both wealthy and poor.

Wine, both red and white, has been used as a medicine for many reasons due to its active ingredient, alcohol. Such common uses ranged from: a disinfectant for wounds, a pain killer during childbirth, digestive aid and a treatment for illness associated with diarrhea, dementia, sinus relief, fatigue and a vast amount of other common illnesses.

Whilst the medical use of wine has been around for centuries, wine today is mostly used for recreational alcohol consumption rather than to treat sickness.

Wine

Glasses of red wine and white wine
Alcohol by volume	5.5–15.5%
Ingredients	Grapes
Variants	Red White Rosé Amber Sparkling

Characteristics

Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced from the fermented juice of both green and red grapes. It has been used for medical purposes dating back to over 9,000 years ago as well as for its intoxicating effects through recreational consumption. It contains Resveratol, a type of natural chemical and part of a group of compounds called polyphenols. It is found in the skin of the grapes and is the active ingredient in wine that supports its use for medical use by protecting the body against damage and generally supporting bodily functions.

General uses

Grape wine, both red and white, is the oldest documented human-made medicine and through  its religious ties and applications the earliest users were mostly priests and religious clergy. In ancient times, wine was used to cure common ailments such as: a disinfectant for wounds, an antiseptic to reduce the rate of infection, a painkiller, digestive aid and for treatment for illnesses including diarrhea, dementia, sinus relief, fatigue and an aid in childbirth. Wine was seen as an alternative to water and that it played an important role in a healthy lifestyle.

Medical effects and risks

See also: Health effects of wine.

The medical effects of wine were not certain until the late 19th and early 20th century when medical research on alcohol became available.

The Resveratrol in wine is the active ingredient contributing to its positive effects. Such effects range from the prevention of vascular and degenerative diseases including cancer, restoring vision loss, treating dementia, increasing life expectancy, reducing risk of depression, enhancing heart and mental health, the aid of healthy blood vessels and blood pressure, protection from sunburn, protection from dental cavity, acne treatment and absorption of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.

Despite the benefits that wine offers, there are negative effects and risks that are associated with excessive consumption.

Ancient Chinese use

Jiahu Archaeological site in China

Research has shown that grape wine making began in Ancient China at the Jiahu archaeological site. Wine played an important part in Chinese Materia Medica as a for treatment for diseases, promoting health and for its restoring antioxidant properties.

Wine was most commonly mixed with animal parts for medical uses. The most common use was to produce an abortion and a mixture of lizard’s liver, skin of a cicada and wine was rubbed into the naval. Another common medical use was mixing the flesh of a viper with wine and burying it in a jar under a horse's stall for a year before taking the remaining liquid and using it as a remedy for fistula, stomach pain, heart pain, worms, hemorrhoids and internal bleeding^[2]. Other medical uses include drinking wine with the liver of a black cat to cure malaria and mixing wine and an owl bones to heal a bad cold. In addition, the Chinese ironically used wine mixed with a donkey's placenta to cure alcoholism.

Wine was also mixed with hashish to induce narcosis to a patient before a surgery, acting as a painkiller.

The Ancient Chinese used wine mostly in conjunction with animals in order for its medical uses but also for other common purposes such as disinfection and relaxation.

Ancient Egyptian use

Egyptian Pharaoh

Since the age of Egyptian Pharaohs five thousand years ago, wine has been used as medicine in Egypt. In Egypt, wine was mostly used a solvent for mixing other medicines and mostly for treatment for infections due to its antiseptic properties. Ancient Egyptians often utilised herbs with wine to produce organic medicine. The product of this mixture was then used to treat diseases and ill health conditions such as upset stomachs, headaches and herpes. Egyptians also consumed wine before bedtime to ease any pain of the day and to fall asleep easier and faster. Wine was held in high esteem in Egypt due to its curative qualities, and thus made desirable through consumption by Pharaohs and powerful members of society.

Ancient Greek use

Greek physician and patient

The Ancient Greek physicians were the first to prescribe wine as a medicine that was undiluted and it quickly became the most popular manufactured drink. Hippocrates, known as the father of modern western medicine, was a strong advocate for the use of wine for medical purposes especially as wound dressings, a beneficial dietary beverage, a fever reducer, a cure for diarrhea and a diuretic. Wine was relatively cheap and often seen as healthier than unreliable water sources in Greek cultures and thus it was drunk excessively as not only a cure for ailments but for preventative reasons. However, this had to be moderated as the ancients identified the danger of overindulgent drinking and recognized that while a moderate amount could help prevent and cure conditions, an excessive amount could cause insomnia, memory loss and death.

Current use

Although today wine is most commonly used for recreation use due to its intoxicating effects, modern science shows that consuming wine in moderation is a preventative approach to diseases. The potent antioxidant properties that are present in wine can help prevent vascular and degenerative diseases as well as increasing life expectancy, enhancing heart health and improving mental health and thus should be consumed and enjoyed in moderation in addition to a healthy, balanced diet.