The scorching days of summer are upon us once again. The term "San Fu Tian" refers to the hottest period of the year. Many people take advantage of this time to take care of their health. Can you soak your feet during San Fu Tian? What are the benefits of soaking your feet during this time? Let's find out!
Can you soak your feet during San Fu Tian?
Yes, you can soak your feet during San Fu Tian.
Although the temperature is high during the summer, there is also a lot of dampness in the air. As a result, people often feel lethargic and have a poor appetite. Soaking your feet can stimulate the meridians in your feet and enhance the function of your organs.
Is it good to soak your feet with mugwort leaves during San Fu Tian?
Soaking your feet with mugwort leaves is a good way to take care of your health during San Fu Tian.
Mugwort leaves have a tonifying effect and are a pure yang traditional Chinese medicine. They can help dispel coldness from the body and have the nourishing effect of warming the meridians. Soaking your feet with mugwort leaves during San Fu Tian is an excellent way to promote health and well-being.
What are the benefits of soaking your feet during San Fu Tian?
Promotes blood circulation
Hot water can warm the body and promote blood circulation. Soaking your feet can stimulate blood circulation in the feet. Additionally, there are many acupoints in our feet. Soaking your feet during San Fu Tian can stimulate these acupoints and improve immune function.
Treats winter ailments in summer
During winter, blood circulation slows down and the feet are at the furthest end of the body. Blood circulation to the feet is relatively slow, and microcirculation in the feet is often not sufficient. Soaking your feet during San Fu Tian can promote blood circulation and remove waste from the body, effectively treating and preventing winter ailments.
Warms the meridians and dispels coldness
The feet are filled with meridians, and poor blood circulation in the feet can cause cold hands and feet. Soaking your feet during San Fu Tian can help warm the meridians and dispel coldness, keeping the body warm.
Relieves fatigue
During San Fu Tian, the body is easily fatigued due to the high temperature. Soaking your feet can relax the body and relieve the tension and fatigue of the day.
How to soak your feet during San Fu Tian
Soaking your feet in hot water
Method: Fill a basin with hot water that is warm to the touch but not scalding. Then, immerse your feet in the water for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove your feet from the basin.
Soaking your feet with mugwort leaves
Ingredients: Mugwort leaves.
Method: Wrap the mugwort leaves in a non-woven fabric bag and soak them in hot water. Once the water changes color, remove the bag and pour the mugwort water into a basin. Place your feet in the basin and soak for about 20 minutes before removing them.
Soaking your feet with Sichuan peppercorns
Ingredients: Sichuan peppercorns.
Method: Rinse the Sichuan peppercorns with warm water and then place them in a non-woven fabric bag. Soak the bag in hot water prepared for foot soaking. Once the water changes color, remove the bag and pour the water into a foot basin. Soak your feet for 20 minutes and then remove them.
Precautions for soaking your feet during San Fu Tian
Avoid soaking your feet when too full or too hungry
Avoid soaking your feet when you are too full, too hungry, or during or just after a meal. Foot soaking accelerates blood circulation throughout the body, which can lead to dizziness and discomfort. It is not recommended to soak your feet within half an hour after a meal as it may affect blood supply to the stomach.
Cautions for patients with severe heart disease or low blood pressure
Soaking your feet or taking hot spring baths is fine for people with good health. However, special populations such as those with heart disease, heart failure, low blood pressure, or frequent dizziness should avoid using hot water or soaking for a long time. Soaking in hot water or hot springs can cause blood vessels to dilate, redirecting blood from important organs to the surface of the body. This can result in ischemia and hypoxia in vital organs such as the heart and brain. For people with heart disease or low blood pressure, this can increase the risk of illness.
Careful attention to water temperature for diabetes patients
Patients with diabetes may have impaired perception of external temperature in their peripheral nerves. Even if the water temperature is high, they may not feel it, making them susceptible to scalding and serious consequences. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the water temperature when soaking your feet.
Caution for patients with athlete's foot
People with athlete's foot should avoid soaking their feet in hot water, especially when the condition is severe and blisters have formed. Soaking in hot water can easily cause wound infection. It is also not advisable to soak your feet if you have inflammation, skin diseases, wounds, or burns on your feet.
Do not soak your feet for too long if you are elderly
If elderly people soak their feet for too long, it can cause sweating and heart palpitations. Therefore, it is best for the elderly to soak their feet for 20 minutes before bedtime.
No need for infants and young children to soak their feet
Infants and young children have a "pure yang" body and are prone to heat and excessive internal heat. Soaking their feet in hot water and causing sweating can worsen the situation. Simply washing their little feet with warm water every day and gently massaging them can help promote their physical development.
