"What Are the Advantages and Potential Side Effects of Consuming Mugwort-Infused Water?"

Moxa Herb and Its Uses and Precautions

Many women are familiar with moxa herb, as some use it mixed with sea salt for a hot compress during menstrual cramps to alleviate symptoms. Some women also have the habit of drinking moxa leaf water. Let's delve into the benefits and potential side effects of consuming moxa herb in water.

1. Benefits of Drinking Moxa Leaf Water

a. Regulating Qi and Blood: Moxa herb, a mild medicinal herb, warms and nourishes blood vessels. Consuming it in water helps absorb beneficial nutrients and medicinal components, promoting blood circulation, regulating qi and blood, warming the middle, dispelling cold, and alleviating menstrual disorders and cramps in women.

b. Cough Relief and Asthma Relief: Moxa herb contains volatile oils and aromatic substances that act directly on the lungs and trachea, reducing inflammation, expanding the trachea, and facilitating mucus expulsion. This keeps the respiratory tract unobstructed, prevents upper respiratory infections, and aids in treating pneumonia and bronchitis.

c. Dispelling Cold and Eliminating Dampness: As a mild medicinal herb, moxa dispels cold and eliminates dampness. Consuming it in water helps eliminate dampness and toxic cold in the body, reducing their harmful effects. It can be used as an adjunctive treatment for colds with wind-cold symptoms, stomach pain due to deficiency cold, and prevention of rheumatic bone pain.

2. Precautions for Drinking Moxa Leaf Water

a. Do not consume for extended periods: Due to its strong medicinal properties, moxa herb should not be used for prolonged periods, regardless of the method of consumption. Its cold nature makes long-term use susceptible to cold pathogen invasion, potentially negating health benefits and causing adverse effects. Special attention should be paid to the duration of soaking feet with moxa herb.

b. Unsuitable for children: Certain individuals, particularly children, should avoid drinking moxa leaf water. During childhood, rapid growth can be impacted by moxa leaf water, potentially harming physical health and bone development.

c. Unsuitable for women during menstruation: Women should refrain from drinking moxa leaf water during menstruation. As moxa herb is cold in nature, and menstruating women are already vulnerable to cold pathogens, it can cause or exacerbate menstrual disorders like cramps.