I believe that many people have heard of Artemisia, but few know its many benefits for women. Today, I will share with you the "women's protection herb," Artemisia.
Artemisia is a common herbaceous plant that can be harvested in late April. It can be used for cooking and medicine and is a popular plant in people's lives. As early as the Spring and Autumn period, people used it as a necessary process for acupuncture. After needling the acupoints, they would use burning Artemisia to fumigate, which can prevent infection. Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" mentioned, "Artemisia leaves can treat many illnesses." It can be seen that the importance of Artemisia has been discovered by ancient people.
Artemisia can warm and invigorate the meridians, and dispel cold and dampness. The Artemisia during the Dragon Boat Festival has the best warming ability. When it is made into Artemisia wool and placed close to the body, it emits a warm temperature, stimulates the acupoints, accelerates local blood circulation, and disperses cold and dampness in the body.
At the same time, the Dragon Boat Festival is the time when Artemisia grows most vigorously and has the strongest medicinal effect. The freshly harvested Artemisia at this time has a powerful effect, which is why our Chinese nation has celebrated the festival by "harvesting Artemisia" for many years.
These harvested Artemisia leaves can be used as raw materials for moxibustion. They can be crushed, purified, and made into Artemisia wool. After rolling into strips, they can be used for gentle moxibustion.
If not rolled into strips, these Artemisia wool can also be directly used for moxibustion, but the purity of the Artemisia wool needs to be very high.
In addition, there are several points to note when doing moxibustion:
1. Moxibustion should be done on areas with thin skin and many tendons and bones, such as the head, face, chest, and limbs. The amount of moxibustion should be small. On areas with thick skin and full muscles, such as the waist, abdomen, shoulders, and thighs, the amount of moxibustion can be larger.
2. For individuals with strong constitution, the amount of moxibustion can be larger. For those with chronic diseases, weak constitution, the elderly, and children, the amount of moxibustion should be smaller.
3. If dizziness occurs during moxibustion, stop immediately. Let the patient lie down with the head lower, keep warm, and rest for a while or drink warm water for mild cases. For severe cases, press the Renzhong, Neiguan, and Zusanli acupoints.
4. Moxibustion should be avoided when feeling mentally tense, sweating heavily, tired, or hungry. Pregnant women in the lumbar and abdominal areas should not receive moxibustion.
Artemisia has many benefits. It has antibacterial, antiviral, hemostatic, expectorant, antitussive, sedative, anti-allergic, hepatoprotective, and choleretic effects, etc. Since these are not the focus of our discussion today, I will not go into detail.
Next, I will explain in detail the numerous benefits of Artemisia for women.
Improves Obesity
Artemisia has the effect of helping women lose weight. It can be used for moxibustion on the legs and abdomen. This can effectively improve female obesity, help eliminate excess water and toxins from the body, and achieve weight loss. This method is particularly effective for people with a cold constitution.
Dispels Cold and Dampness, Prevents Colds
Artemisia has the effect of dispelling dampness and coldness, which can enhance the body's constitution. Medical research has shown that Artemisia has a certain inhibitory effect on many viruses that may cause influenza, so consuming Artemisia can help prevent colds.
Repels Mosquitoes with Aroma
Artemisia, also known as the "immortal herb," has a good effect in repelling mosquitoes. It can also eliminate moisture and odor, purify the air, and enhance the body's immunity. The method is simple. The easiest way is to directly ignite Artemisia and put it in a container. If not particular, any unused bowl or plate will do.
Nourishes Qi and Blood
Artemisia has the effect of promoting blood circulation and nourishing Qi and blood. Consuming Artemisia can invigorate blood circulation and regulate women's Qi and blood, which is beneficial for improving yellow complexion, dark spots, etc.
Clears Heat and Detoxifies
In the hot summer, many women easily experience symptoms of internal heat. Artemisia can effectively dispel internal heat, making it an excellent choice for cooling down. You can directly soak dried Artemisia in water for drinking, or mix Artemisia with other ingredients to achieve the effect of clearing heat and detoxification.
Relieves Menstrual Pain
Artemisia can regulate Qi and blood, warm meridians, and has a significant effect on relieving pain and warming the uterus, especially for women with a cold constitution. However, due to the hemostatic effect of Artemisia, it is recommended not to consume Artemisia directly when experiencing menstrual pain. Instead, Artemisia can be put into warm water for foot soaking or bathing.
