Mugwort Ginger Foot Soak

Why people make this soak

Some people have overactive sweat glands in the soles of their feet — even with scrupulous hygiene, foot odor remains a persistent problem. The science behind it is straightforward: sweat itself is not odorous, but when sweat (with its urea, lactic acid, and other compounds) meets the bacteria naturally present on the skin, the breakdown produces that characteristic smell. In shoes that do not breathe well, the smell intensifies rapidly. Fresh mugwort (ai ye) combined with ginger provides a strongly antibacterial, warming foot soak that Nourilo recommends both for foot odor and for those with a damp, cold constitution who benefit from regular foot soaking to stimulate circulation. Fresh mugwort is available at Chinese herbal shops and Asian grocers, or online.

Method

1. Rinse the fresh mugwort and cut into sections.
2. Wash the old ginger, keeping the skin on. Slice into thick pieces.
3. Combine mugwort and ginger in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Pour the liquid into a foot bath basin. Add enough cool water to bring the temperature down to approximately 40°C (comfortable warm — not scalding).
6. Soak both feet for about 15 minutes.
7. Dry the feet thoroughly with a clean towel immediately after.

Nourilo’s Tips

For stubborn foot odor or long-standing athlete’s foot, soak three times a week. If fresh mugwort is not available, substitute with 38 g of dried mugwort — it still works well. This wash also has a beneficial effect on eczema and mild skin fungal conditions when used to wash the affected area. Nourilo also notes that for stubborn odor or skin reactions where the mugwort soak is not tolerated, a garlic-vinegar soak is an excellent alternative: take 3 full heads of garlic, peel all the cloves, place in a basin, cover completely with rice vinegar, and leave overnight. The next day, soak the feet for 10 minutes, pat dry without rinsing. Reuse for day 2 and 3, then make a fresh batch. Six consecutive days should eliminate bacteria and odor.