13 Transformative Ways to Use Red Wine as Medicine (It’s Easier Than You Think)

It seems a bit wild to say "see red wine as medicine", right?! Though, what if I told you that is actually how it is meant to be used? Would you believe me?

Instead of seeing drinking as a bitter experience filled with regret, remorse, and terrible hangovers, how about we think about drinking with fond ideas, joy, and beauty?

The act of fermenting grapes is primal, it is totally natural, and we can see it in such a way that helps us, not hurts us.

So, here's for the ladies just tired of drinking too much or looking to find relaxation in your drinking instead of the bars, over consumption, etc. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this blog promotes alcohol responsibly; you must be 21 or older to purchase through links to licensed retailers like Wine.com and Total Wine. Learn more here.

More of a disclaimer, I am in no way shape or form promoting the illegal use of alcohol, overconsumption, nor am I promoting wine as having any medical benefits. This is not medical advice, and you must use alcohol responsibly.

You will learn different approaches to perceiving and using wine that will help you find the beauty in it and build a better relationship with it.

This post is all about red wine as medicine.

13 Tips | Red Wine as Medicine

Does red wine have medicinal properties?

Though, I can not make any definitive claims about red wine having causation or being a treatment to anything. What I can note is the different studies done on red wine as medicine and how it can potentially help you. 

Some amazing research on red wine's polyphenols (compounds with inflammatory and antioxidant properties) point to some possibilities: 

• Red wine is packed with antioxidants that may combat oxidative stress in the body
• Evidence suggests potential support for healthier cholesterol balance
• Some studies link moderate intake to safeguarding age-related cognitive decline
• May improve blood circulation, including to the brain
• Early findings suggest it can help regulate neurotransmitters that balance mood

Red Wine Medicinal Uses

As we see above, we might be able to see red wine as medicine a bit more! Not only the potential biological effects it has, but also the ways we can use red wine to learn to drink less and build a better relationship with it. 

The top ways to use red wine as medicine to drink less and honor it's beauty: 

1. Use wine as a ritual

In ancient times, we used to use wine as a ritualistic tool. For example, churches use it as a representation for "Holy Communion", ancient China used rice wine in festivals to facilitate connection between the living and deceased, Greece, Rome, and more used wine in their cultures for ritual! The list goes on! 

You might be wondering, ok well how do I use it as a ritual? It can be as simple as having a glass of wine every Tuesday evening sitting on the porch. Or, when you have a glass of wine to journal while drinking it, etc. 

2. Pairing red wine with steak

For my meat loving ladies, pairing wine with steak is a great way to integrate red wine as medicine. Steak, for one, has protein, vitamins, iron, and packed with minerals for immunity and bones. 

And, on the other hand, red wine has antioxidants and great potential benefits (as noted above). Not only that, red wine paired with steak might be the great combination ever created. Medicine has never tasted so good 😉

3. Learn the vineyard and/or winemaker

When you go to the grocery store are you turning bottles around looking at the ingredients? Are you looking for "organic" meats, coffees, etc? Well, wine should be no different. 

They say food is medicine, well I argue that anything you put in your body is either medicine or poison, either helping you or hurting you.

So, don't just grab the "organic" bottle of wine (and here's why not), but learn the ground of which it came from, and learn the hands at which is was created. Trust me, you will be drinking better wine, enjoying it more, and finding it can actually help you.

4. Have a glass with your yin yoga or meditation

When I was making beer in my basement I adored my creation, so much so I would try to connect with it in so many different facets. I would practice yoga as I sipped it, I would meditate on it, etc.

The spirit of wine is beautiful and we can engage with it in a productive and healthy way. In your yoga practice, sip your wine and move, breathe, and notice. Notice what you are experiencing after each sip:

• What thoughts are moving through your mind?
• What emotions are coming up?
• Is anything coming up?
• If you feel sensations, where in the body do you feel them?

Understanding how your body reacts to alcohol, wine specifically, will allow you to gain control. It's the first step to sustainably gaining control and being able to drink less while still being able to bask in its beauty. 

5. Invite others over

Community is everything, I am sure we can all agree that friends and family are high up on the priority list! And what a better way to come together than enjoying the greatest gift from nature (hint hint, it's wine)?

If you choose high quality wines and invite friends over, you will enjoy drinking more (because duh, the wine is good!), and focusing on community over consumption you will inherently drink less.

Pro tip: Only buy enough wine for everyone to have 1-2 glasses!

6. Set and setting

Have you ever heard of the idea "set and setting"? It is equally as important when drinking to make sure your set and setting are primed for a beneficial experience. Create the space to honor the craft and fully enjoy it. 

Have you ever woken up from a night of drinking and just felt off? Like maybe the night was not very good, weird interactions, experiences, etc? The set and setting were not aligned. 

Ideas to create the best set and setting:

• Have a date night at home, watch the sunset and enjoy the company of your husband
• Run a hot bath
• Journal while snuggled up in your blanket
• Watch a nice movie
• Enjoy time and wine with your friends
• And more!

7. Only have ONE glass 

When we are learning how to drink less, we must put up boundaries for ourselves. It can be a dangerous game to go out to the bars and expect ourselves to only drink one drink then go home... 

Alternatively, it can be challenging to just have one glass. But, with one glass you can get all the potential health benefits (stated above) without the overdose effects. Think of this as the "dosage for wine" when we are thinking about it in terms of medicine... 

Are you going to down the whole bottle of NyQuil before bed? Probably not. So, let's not down the whole bottle of wine either!

8. Have a glass while reading 

A really basic way to use red wine as medicine is enjoy a glass while you read. This will allow your brain to relax with reading. When you are just drinking wine you might be using the alcohol to relax your mind, instead use a book or magazine to relax and allow the wine to be a bonus. 

9. Bring it outside 

What better medicine is there than fresh air and sunshine? Right, they say that sunshine is the best disinfectant! Though, regardless if you are in the sun, take advantage of the great outdoors and whatever that has to offer for you. Whether that is taking your wine camping or simply sitting out on your back deck...

This alone can help you realign with natural rhythms (ie your circadian rhythm) and connect back to the sacredness of wine and its beauty. 

10. Don't drink before 1pm

For those looking to drink less and use red wine as medicine you really don't want to be drinking before 1pm. Ideally 3pm, but we all understand an afternoon glass with lunch on a Saturday.

Its also just good drinking practice and a good habit to get into. Using wine as medicine also is a way of rewarding ourselves. So, having a glass after work will serve you better than having one before you leave for work in the morning, right?

11. Be elegant

The spirit of wine is really one of beauty, elegance, and class. So, embody that! Embody the beauty of wine by wearing a nice dress, putting in cute earrings, etc. Trust me, for some reason, it makes wine taste 10000x better!

Not only embodying elegance, but also drinking elegance which includes high quality wines and high quality wine glasses.

12. Hold your head high

Don't drink in spite, drink because. I think that is a huge issue and there is a HUGE difference between the two. People drink in spite of anger, frustration, annoyance, etc which is very dangerous (cough, cough set and setting!) 

Instead, hold your head high and drink BECAUSE! Drink your glass of wine because of beauty, joy, love, and elegance. You will find a great relationship with wine by implementing this simple idea.

13. Have a journal near by

Have a journal! As i mentioned above, take notice on your thoughts, feelings, and emotions as you enjoy your glass of wine. If something comes up, grab your journal and quickly jot it down! Use red wine as medicine to chew through your thoughts, and move through your season of life.

This post was all about red wine as medicine!