Tusu Wine & The New Year: Celebrating Health and Longevity

Over two thousand years ago, during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD), a devastating typhoid plague swept across China. Famine and sorrow filled every home. The poet Cao Zhi (曹植) captured the suffering in his writing:

“Every family is pained with a corpse, every room has anguished cries.”

During this time, a physician introduced a practice that would later be known as Tusu Wine — one of China’s most meaningful New Year traditions. He gathered a collection of herbs, placed them in a silk bag, and instructed his neighbors to immerse the bag in a well on New Year’s Eve. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, villagers drew water from the well, mixed it with rice wine, and faced east as they drank together for three days.

Historical accounts record that the entire village remained healthy and unaffected by the plague.

The Birth of 屠蘇酒 (Tusu Wine)

This herbal wine, known as Tusu Wine (屠蘇酒), was later documented in the Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies by the renowned physician Ge Hong (葛洪).

The formula included several Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs selected to dispel pathogenic influences, strengthen vitality, and promote balance within the body.

Over time, Tusu Wine became a cherished New Year tradition, symbolizing both healing and renewal. Families drank it together to honor the past, celebrate life, and express wishes for health and longevity in the year ahead.

The Meaning Behind the Name 屠蘇酒

The name Tusu (屠蘇) has been interpreted in several ways throughout Chinese history. Some scholars believe that “屠” (tú) means to dispel and “蘇” (sū) means to revive, representing the act of driving away illness and renewing life.

This meaning beautifully reflects one of the guiding principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine — to prevent disease before it occurs and to maintain balance between Yin and Yang. For many, drinking Tusu Wine was not only a tradition of celebration but also an expression of gratitude for life, health, and renewal at the start of the year.

The Herbs Behind the Tradition

While regional variations existed, the version recorded by Ge Hong featured herbs that helped dispel cold, circulate Qi, and strengthen the body’s natural defenses.
Historical texts describe these ingredients as warming and protective, supporting internal balance during the colder months when vitality was more vulnerable.

These carefully chosen herbs helped sustain the body’s resilience — an idea that continues to guide the formulation of many modern herbal preparations. Tusu Wine, therefore, stands as both a historical example of seasonal health practices and a testament to the enduring wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A Tradition Rooted in Prevention

The story of Tusu Wine reflects a foundational TCM philosophy:

“Cure disease before it occurs.”

This proactive approach has guided Chinese Medicine for millennia. Rather than waiting for imbalance to arise, the goal is to nourish and protect the body year-round — aligning lifestyle, diet, and herbs with the rhythm of the seasons.

At Si Jin Bao, we carry forward this same philosophy. Our Concentrated Decoctions™ merge ancient herbal wisdom with modern technology, providing powerful, physician-formulated herbal solutions that make prevention simple and effective for today’s world.

Tusu Wine and Modern Wellness

Today, the principles behind Tusu Wine remain timeless. Its story reminds us that prevention, balance, and renewal are the foundations of wellness.
Just as families once gathered to share Tusu Wine at the start of a new year, we can also begin each season with intention and vitality.

At Si Jin Bao, we continue this legacy by crafting plant-based formulas designed for all ages. Whether through a soothing tea or the precise drops of a Concentrated Decoction™, our goal remains the same — to support the body’s natural balance and help you thrive in every season.

Prevention is the Key to Success

The custom of drinking Tusu Wine represents both the sorrow and joy of life — remembering what has passed while embracing hope for what lies ahead. As we celebrate the New Year, may we carry forward this enduring wisdom: Health begins with prevention.

Happy New Year! 恭喜發財 (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!)

From all of us at Si Jin Bao, may your year be filled with prosperity, health, and harmony.