Mugwort and Ginger Foot-Soak Water

Why people make this foot soak

As we get older, sluggish circulation and cold hands and feet are common, especially at night when the feet stay icy even under a quilt, which spoils sleep. For people who feel chilly with cold limbs, Nourilo suggests soaking the feet in mugwort-and-ginger water once or twice a week, while sipping a cup of brown-sugar ginger tea, to help dispel cold and damp and relax the body and mind. Mugwort is traditionally regarded as warming the channels and supporting circulation, and the ginger reinforces its warming quality.

Method

1. Wash the fresh mugwort leaf and cut into segments. Boil in 2.4 L of water for 15 minutes.
2. Stir in the ginger powder (or ginger slices).
3. Add cold water to bring the temperature to about 40–45°C, then use for soaking the feet.

Nourilo’s Tips

A mugwort foot soak is traditionally regarded as soothing the skin and easing tiredness, but do not soak longer than 30 minutes and do not make the water too hot, to avoid scalding the skin or burdening the heart. Just soak until your body feels warm.