Traditional Medicinal Foot Bath

Foot bathing with traditional Chinese medicine is a health-preserving practice that can promote blood circulation in the soles of the feet, improve sleep quality and eliminate physical fatigue. Therefore, soaking your feet on a regular basis is beneficial to your health. When soaking your feet in the traditional Chinese medicine bath, you need to pay attention to the soaking time and water temperature. The water temperature should be controlled at 40 degrees. You can massage the soles of your feet while soaking your feet, which is more conducive to blood circulation.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "human feet are like the roots of a tree. When a tree dies, the roots wither first. When a person ages, the feet age first." It believes that foot bathing is suitable all year round and has different functions. "Foot bathing in spring can open the sun and consolidate the body; foot bathing in summer can eliminate heat; foot bathing in autumn can moisten the lungs and promote bowel movement; foot bathing in winter can warm the dantian.

Soaking your feet in the summer can help get rid of heat and dampness, prevent heat colds, invigorate your spirits, increase appetite and promote sleep. Because the foot is the second most important part of the body after the heart, it is called the "second heart". There are a large number of capillaries on the feet, which is one of the areas with the most acupuncture points in the human body. Summer is the season when the human body's yang energy is the most abundant. Soaking your feet in warm water at this time can better stimulate the meridians and invigorate the functions of the body's internal organs. Especially people with congenital poor spleen and stomach are more suitable for foot soaking in summer. When the spleen and stomach are good, they are not easily invaded by moisture. The symptoms such as loss of appetite, drowsiness, lack of energy, and irritability caused by excessive moisture in summer will be alleviated.

There are also some rules for foot soaking. Before going to bed, soak your feet in warm water at about 40℃ (the water covers the ankle joints) for 20 to 30 minutes each time (you can add hot water to maintain the water temperature during this period). It is better if the skin is slightly red after soaking. At the same time, you can massage your toes and soles of your feet with your hands. Generally speaking, a foot bath once a night can achieve the purpose of health care. It is best to go to bed within half an hour after bathing. It is also possible to bathe your feet twice a night (usually once at 10 am and once before going to bed at night). The foot soaking time should not be too long each time, but it should be appropriately extended for chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hypertension, etc. The specific time needs to be gradually adjusted according to the age, gender, medical condition, etc. of the person soaking the feet and the feelings after soaking the feet.

Adding different Chinese medicines to the foot bath when soaking your feet can relieve different symptoms. The primary purpose of foot soaking in summer is to eliminate heat and dampness. Use the decoction of Chinese medicine Patchouli to soak your feet in a foot bath. Take 30 to 50 grams of Patchouli and put it into 2 liters of water. Boil it over high heat for about 40 minutes, then simmer it over low heat until 1 liter of the medicinal liquid is left. Take out the juice, add 2 liters of water and boil it down to 1 liter. Put the two portions of the juice in a basin and soak your feet. The liquid should be enough to soak your ankles. Massage your feet while soaking.

This method is a good way to soak your feet in the summer, remove moisture and relieve summer heat.

Another item commonly used when soaking feet is mugwort, which is both economical and can regulate the body.

Soaking your feet in mugwort and ginger can cure colds, joint diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, coughs, bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

Soaking your feet in mugwort and safflower can improve varicose veins, peripheral neuritis, poor blood circulation, numbness or blood stasis in the hands and feet.

Soaking your feet with mugwort and salt is suitable for those with upper-burner fire, frequent red eyes, toothache, sore throat, irritability, upper-burner fire and lower-burner cold, and swollen feet and legs.

Foot soaking with mugwort and peppercorns is suitable for treating foot sweat, foot odor, athlete's foot, and eczema.

Taboos of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Foot Soaking

You cannot bathe your feet immediately after a meal to avoid affecting digestion. When taking a foot bath, the indoor environment should be quiet and comfortable, the room temperature should be moderate, do not be blown directly by the wind, and keep your mind relaxed. The water temperature should be kept warm. If it is too cold, it may cause colds and other discomforts. If it is too hot, it may burn the skin. Especially for diabetics, the water temperature should not be too high for soaking. People with burns, impetigo, chickenpox, measles and foot injuries should not take foot baths. The water temperature should not be too high for people with chapped skin on their feet, and vaseline should be applied after drying them after soaking. Pay attention during the foot bath process. If any abnormal conditions occur, such as confusion, pale face, cold sweats, etc., stop immediately and inform family members to deal with it in time.