History of foot bath

Foot bath is a very popular practice in China. Chinese people like to soak their feet in hot water every night before bedtime. They believe foot bath can wash away the day’s fatigue and bring a good night of sleep.

Foot bath has a very long history in China. The earliest Chinese medicine classic “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon”, which was written over 2000 years ago, mentioned the importance of foot health.

Chinese medicine master Sun Si Miao (541-682A.D.), who is respectively called “the king of medicine”, summarized the health benefits of foot bath in different seasons. He wrote: foot bath in the spring tonifies the yang, and prevents depletion of qi; foot bath in the summer removes dampness and heat; foot bath in the fall strengthens the lungs and improves intestinal functions; foot bath in the winter warms the Dan Tian (energy center).

Long term health benefits of foot bath

1.     Reduce fatigue

Foot fatigue is a common condition that occurs after you stand or walk for long periods of time. This can cause the muscles in your feet to become over-tired, leading to painful cramps and ongoing discomfort. Hot water foot bath can improve blood circulation, and relax the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the feet.

2.     Calm the mind and improve sleep quality

“Foot is our second heart”. Foot bath can improve heart function, and in turn, relax our mind. A relaxed mind can help us fall asleep easily.

3.     Lower blood pressure

Within fifteen minutes of doing the foot bath, our peripheral blood vessels expand which helps lower the blood pressure. Long term consistent practice of foot bath (3-4 years) may eliminate the need for blood pressure medication.

4.     Improve skin condition and beauty

Massaging the feet during foot bath can stimulate hormone secretion, and improve skin health. Also, hot foot bath can cause slight perspiration. Heavy metals and toxic wastes in the skin can be expelled with sweat from the skin.

5.     Strengthen muscles and bones

Consistent foot bath can improve blood circulation, therefore, more nutrients can reach the feet. Muscles and bones in the feet can be more nourished and become stronger.

Conditions that can benefit from foot bath 

1. Dizziness, headache, insomnia, tinnitus, neurasthenia, cervical syndrome

2. Chronic pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, cold, cough, bronchial asthma, allergic asthma

3. Cold lower limbs. This problem is often related to thromboangiitis obliterans, arteriosclerosis obliterans, acral arterial spasm, and polyarteritis. Foot bath has a significant effect on cold lower limb problems.

4. Tinea pedis, eczema, toenail inflammation, deformed toes, flat feet, skin allergies, athlete’s foot

5. Rheumatism, joint pain, heel pain, sciatica, corns, waist and knee pain, chills, loss of energy, fatigue

6. Irregular menstruation, menopausal syndrome

7. Hypertension, hypotension, anemia, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, varicose veins, stroke sequelae, obesity, diabetes

8. Polio

9. Brain atrophy, Alzheimer's disease

10. Gastrointestinal diseases, gastroptosis

11. Kidney diseases, enlarged prostate, edema

12. Constipation

13. Decline of sexual functions, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, impotence

14. Restless legs syndrome

What to use for foot bath:

1.  Hot water (about 104.0 °F)

2.  Fruit peel water

Any fruit peel can be used. Boil the fruit peel in water for 5 min or soak it in hot water for 2-3 hours. Then use the hot liquid for foot bath.

3.  Chinese herb foot bath

For example, mugwort（艾叶） is a wonderful herb for foot bath. Mugwort can regulate qi and blood, and expel cold and dampness from the body. Mugwort foot bath has been proven to improve the sleep quality of many of our patients.

 Mugwort foot bath testimonials:

Cynthia has been having sleep problems for 7 years. She tried mugwort foot bath and sleft for 8 hours with interruption. Watch her testimonial below:

William was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Watch this video below to see how mugwort foot bath has helped him.

 Dr. Wu demonstrate how to do a foot bath:

Mugwort foot bath instructions:

 1. Boil 1 gallon of water with 1 ounce of mugwort. When to a boil, let simmer for 15 minutes.

 2. Strain the liquid into the footbath, keeping the bulk remainder out of the footbath. Add more water (temperature and amount is up to you).

3. Sit with feet in footbath.

4. Add the rest of the hot mugwort liquid into the footbath in multiple steps, as the footbath temperature comes down.

 5. Soak for 30 minutes. 

Our dry mugwort leaves can be purchase on Amazon by clicking on the bottom below: