Can soaking feet with mugwort remove dampness from the body?

Aug 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Moxibustion foot soaking has a certain effect in removing cold-dampness, but may be less effective or even cause discomfort in cases of damp-heat. When internal dampness manifests as cold-dampness, characterized by symptoms such as cold intolerance, cold limbs, and a white greasy tongue coating, mugwort (ai ye), which is warm in nature, can promote blood circulation through its warming stimulation when used for foot soaking. This helps to dispel cold pathogens, resolve dampness, and alleviate symptoms such as body heaviness and joint pain, thereby achieving a certain dampness-removing effect.

Generally, soaking feet with mugwort (Artemisia argyi) can help remove cold-dampness to some extent, but may be ineffective or even unsuitable for damp-heat conditions. If any abnormalities occur, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the dampness in the body is of the cold type (cold-dampness), symptoms such as cold intolerance, cold limbs, and a white, greasy tongue coating may appear. Mugwort is warm in nature and soaking feet with it can promote blood circulation through warm stimulation, helping to dispel cold pathogens and resolve dampness, thereby alleviating discomfort such as body heaviness and joint pain. In such cases, it can achieve a certain degree of dampness removal.

If the condition is damp-heat, accompanied by symptoms like dry mouth, bitter taste, yellow greasy tongue coating, and yellow urine, the warm nature of mugwort may intensify internal heat, worsening the condition. It may not only fail to remove dampness but also cause irritability, dry mouth, and other adverse reactions. Therefore, it is unsuitable for such cases.

Before using mugwort to soak feet, one should first determine the type of dampness in their body. Those with cold-dampness can do it moderately, while those with damp-heat should avoid it. When soaking feet, attention should be paid to controlling the water temperature and duration. If symptoms such as red skin or itching occur, soaking should be stopped immediately and monitored. Medical attention should be sought promptly if necessary.

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What is the best and fastest medicine for removing dampness?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "what medicine is best and fastest for removing dampness." If you wish to eliminate dampness, medications such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache fortunei liquid), Shenling Baizhu San (Codonopsis and Atractylodes powder), Pingwei San (Regulating Stomach Powder), Wuling San (Poria and泽泻 Powder), and Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pills) may be taken under a doctor's guidance. Eliminating dampness requires syndrome differentiation to select appropriate medications, as different syndromes call for different treatments. Blindly taking medicine may worsen the condition. It is recommended to use these medicines under the guidance of a TCM practitioner.

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What are the functions and effects of Gentiana scabra (Dragon胆草)?

Under normal circumstances, the main functions and effects of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao) include clearing heat and removing dampness, purging fire from the liver and gallbladder, relieving bitter taste in the mouth, improving red eyes, and assisting in reducing jaundice. Gentiana is usually administered by oral intake of decoction, and the dosage should be controlled according to a physician's instructions. Due to its cold nature and bitter taste, it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or without excess heat and dampness, to avoid damaging the spleen-stomach yang qi and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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What foods help remove dampness?

Under normal circumstances, consuming foods such as Poria (Fu Ling), red adzuki beans (Chi Xiao Dou), Gorgon fruit (Qian Shi), winter melon peel (Dong Gua Pi), and stir-fried hyacinth bean (Chao Bian Dou) may help remove dampness from the body. If you have a need to eliminate dampness, it is recommended to conduct dietary adjustments under the guidance of a healthcare professional. In daily life, in addition to dietary regulation, you can also appropriately increase physical exercise, such as jogging or practicing Tai Chi, to promote blood circulation and assist in expelling dampness from the body.

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How to Remove Dampness, What Are the Most Effective Methods

Consuming more ingredients that strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, such as coix seed, red beans, poria, winter melon, and Chinese yam, can be beneficial. These ingredients can be prepared as porridge or soup. At the same time, avoid raw, cold, sweet, greasy, and fatty foods to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach, thus addressing the root cause of dampness formation internally. Consistently engage in moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and rope skipping.