What are the effects and benefits of soaking feet in mugwort water?
The elderly at home especially like to go to the mountains to collect mugwort leaves for making tea and fumigating against mosquitoes, claiming that they can also be used for foot soaking. I would like to ask the doctor about the specific benefits and effects of using mugwort for foot soaking.
Doctor's answer (1)
Functions and Benefits of Soaking Feet with Mugwort:
1. Warm the meridians and expel cold: Soaking feet with mugwort can warm the meridians and dispel cold. The warm nature of mugwort helps to nourish the blood and qi and warm the meridians, promoting circulation of the foot meridians and blood flow, thereby eliminating coldness from the body.
2. Relieve itching and remove dampness: The aromatic, pungent, and drying properties of mugwort can alleviate dampness and itching, providing relief for skin problems such as foot eczema and scabies.
3. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial: It can help prevent and treat foot conditions such as athlete's foot and tinea pedis.
4. Promote blood circulation: Soaking feet with mugwort can improve blood circulation. The warmth of mugwort combined with the stimulation of hot water helps enhance the body's blood circulation, achieving a blood-activating effect.
5. Improve sleep: Soaking feet with mugwort also promotes sleep and helps people fall asleep more easily, benefiting those who suffer from insomnia and frequent dreams.
However, when using mugwort for foot soaking, the water temperature should not be too hot, generally around 40–50°C, and each session should last about 15–20 minutes. Additionally, pregnant women and women during their menstrual period should avoid soaking feet with mugwort.
