If you are suffering from dysmenorrhea, you may consider trying traditional Chinese medicine foot soaking at home, which may have unexpected effects. However, foot soaking also requires a differentiated treatment based on the syndrome.
Qi stagnation and blood stasis type: It is characterized by abdominal distension and pain before or during menstruation, dark menstrual blood with clots. The treatment should focus on regulating Qi and blood, and resolving stasis to relieve pain. According to traditional Chinese medicine, "the liver is the foundation of women", so the selected medicines for foot soaking are mainly those that enter the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin, supplemented with an appropriate amount of vinegar as a guide for the meridian (acid enters the liver). You can use 30 grams each of Qingpi, Wuyao, and Yimucao, 10 grams each of Chuanxiong and Honghua, add about 2 liters of water and 50 milliliters of vinegar, boil with high heat, then simmer for 30 minutes with low heat. When the medicinal liquid cools down to 50℃, pour it into a basin for foot soaking. The amount of medicinal liquid in the basin should cover the ankle joint. If it is not enough, you can add an appropriate amount of warm water.
Yang deficiency and cold predominance type: It is characterized by cold pain in the lower abdomen, alleviated by applying heat, and cold hands and feet. The treatment should focus on warming the meridians, dispersing cold, and relieving pain. "The kidneys govern the body's yang", so the selected medicines for foot soaking should mainly enter the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin, supplemented with an appropriate amount of salt as a guide for the meridian (salt enters the kidneys). You can use 15 grams each of Rougui, Dingxiang, Wuyao, Danggui, and Chuanxiong, 6 grams each of Ganjiang, Xiaohui, and Wuzhuyu, and a little salt, boil with water for foot soaking.
Each foot soaking session should last for more than 30 minutes. Before soaking, you can use hot steam to warm your feet for a while, and start soaking when the water temperature is suitable. During the soaking process, you can add hot water, preferably soaking until the whole body sweats slightly. At the same time, rub the toes with your hands, especially the big toe, and move your feet from time to time, allowing the soles of the feet to receive slight physical stimulation from the medicinal residues. The decoction of Chinese herbs can be reused several times.
