Foot soaking is almost a daily routine for us in the evening. Typically, we use warm water for this purpose. If we want to enhance the effects of foot soaking and achieve health benefits, we can add ginger, white vinegar, mugwort, and other ingredients to the soaking water. Especially during winter, soaking feet with these materials can help boost the immune system, resist colds, and relieve fatigue. However, for those with allergic tendencies, it is advisable to exercise caution when using these materials as they may cause skin discomfort.

What is the Most Beneficial Material for Foot Soaking?

1. Ginger

Ginger is a common ingredient in our daily lives, but it can not only be used as a food ingredient but also as a material for foot soaking. Did you know that ginger can dispel coldness and warm up cold hands and feet? Therefore, people who are sensitive to cold should take note. Soaking feet with ginger can be more effective than using plain water. The method is very simple: boil ginger in water and use it for soaking feet.

2. Mugwort

According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica," mugwort is a warm, bitter, and non-toxic herb. It has various effects such as restoring yang, regulating qi and blood, dispelling dampness and cold, stopping bleeding, and stabilizing pregnancy. It is also commonly used in acupuncture and is therefore known as "medical grass." Soaking feet with mugwort can also improve lung function, which is beneficial for people with chronic bronchitis and those who easily cough up white mucus. The method of soaking feet with mugwort is similar to that of ginger. Typically, 30-50 grams (a small handful) of dried mugwort are boiled in water for soaking feet. The boiling method is the same as mentioned earlier. People with excessive coldness and dampness can soak their feet with mugwort weekly. While soaking, they can also drink ginger and red dates water as an adjuvant, which is beneficial for their health.

Benefits of Foot Soaking

1. Improving Blood Circulation

Foot soaking can improve blood circulation in the feet. The warm effect of water can dilate the blood vessels in the feet, increase skin temperature, and thereby promote blood circulation in the feet and throughout the body. Tests have shown that soaking both feet in 40℃-45℃ warm water for 30-40 minutes can increase the blood flow in the whole body by 10-13 times for women.

2. Boosting Metabolism

Foot soaking can promote blood circulation in the feet and throughout the body. The increase in blood circulation regulates the function of various endocrine glands, stimulating them to secrete various hormones, such as thyroid hormones secreted by the thyroid gland and adrenaline secreted by the adrenal glands. These hormones can promote metabolism.

3. Eliminating Fatigue

The primary benefit of foot soaking is eliminating fatigue. Ancient people have long summarized the practice of using hot water for foot soaking to alleviate fatigue.