The Vanished Mysterious Medicinal Wine: Beijing Tongrentang Tiger Bone Wine
Among the treasures of traditional Chinese medicine is a mysterious medicinal wine hailed as "the most wondrous wine under heaven"—Beijing Tongrentang Tiger Bone Wine . For centuries, Tiger Bone Wine has been regarded as a precious item in the world of Chinese medicine due to its unique medicinal value and irreplaceable formula.
The value of tiger bone wine lies not only in its medicinal effects but also in its rarity. Over time, the collection of rare medicinal materials such as tiger bones has become increasingly difficult. Coupled with increasingly stringent wildlife protection regulations, the supply of raw materials such as tiger bones has sharply decreased, making the production of tiger bone wine increasingly difficult and highlighting its value.
Tiger bone wine, specially formulated and produced by Tongrentang, has maintained its renowned reputation for over two centuries. Beijing Tongrentang Tiger Bone Wine won an award at the 1924 Leipzig International Exposition. In 1993, China signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which, in Appendix I, explicitly identified rhinoceroses and tigers as internationally protected endangered wild animals. On May 29th of the same year, the State Council issued the "Notice on Prohibiting the Trade of Rhinoceros Horn and Tiger Bone," reiterating the ban on all trade in rhinoceros horn and tiger bone. Article 3 stipulated: "The medicinal standards for rhinoceros horn and tiger bone are abolished, and rhinoceros horn and tiger bone shall no longer be used in medicine." That same year, the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" also removed "tiger bone" from its list. Consequently, tiger bone wine production ceased nationwide. Tongrentang changed the name from tiger bone to leopard bone and renamed the tiger bone wine "Hu Gu Jiu" (Bone-Protecting Wine ). Later, "Hu Gu Jiu" became "Zhuang Gu Jiu" (Bone-Strengthening Wine), and it remains one of Tongrentang's ten flagship medicines today. The genuine Tongrentang tiger bone wines we see and collect today are all remnants from those days.
For collectors of tiger bone wine, its resale value is immeasurable. As time goes on, the rarity of tiger bone wine will become more pronounced, and its collectible value will rise accordingly. Existing tiger bone wine pieces, especially those in good condition and well-preserved, command particularly high resale value, making them popular items in the collector's market.
▲ Li Shizhen brand tiger bone wine produced in the 1960s
▲ Li Shizhen brand tiger bone wine produced in the 1970s
▲ Tiger bone wine in a green porcelain bottle, produced in the 1970s under the Li Shizhen brand
However, it is precisely because of the rarity and preciousness of tiger bone wine thatits price has skyrocketed. For ordinary consumers, tasting this rare medicinal wine has become extremely difficult. Tiger bone wine has become a treasure trove for both the pharmaceutical and collectible worlds, its value transcending that of ordinary medicinal wines.
Nevertheless, tiger bone wine, as a precious product of traditional Chinese medicine, cannot be valued in monetary terms alone. The medical wisdom and cultural heritage it embodies are enough to captivate anyone. Perhaps, in the years to come, the legend of tiger bone wine will continue, becoming a celebrated tale in medical history, passed down forever.
Meanwhile, Chunxiang Wine offers a buyback service for tiger bone wine to collectors and wine enthusiasts. We provide professionalbuyback assessments and reasonable quotes to ensure your treasures receive their due value. If you own tiger bone wine or are interested in collecting and exchanging tiger bone wine, please feel free to contact us.
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