Is it good to take a bath with mugwort during confinement?

When women are in confinement after giving birth, their bodies are often at their weakest. During this period, women must take good care of themselves and pay more attention to their bodies, especially not being invaded by wind and cold. Otherwise, if any root of the disease is left behind during the confinement period, it will be difficult to cure later. During the confinement period, mothers can use mugwort to boil water to take a bath, because bathing with mugwort has the effect of regulating qi and blood, expelling cold and dampness, and can have the effect of dispelling cold.

1. Is it good to take a bath with mugwort during the confinement period?

Bathing with mugwort water during confinement has certain benefits, because bathing with mugwort can regulate qi and blood, expel cold and dampness, stop bleeding, promote sleep, and warm the meridians. However, it is not advisable to bathe frequently with mugwort water, as it may easily cause false fire and cold evil to be drawn downward, which in turn causes insufficient blood supply. The specific method of bathing with mugwort water during confinement is: take 30-50 grams of fresh mugwort, brew it with boiling water in a bathtub for 5-10 minutes, take out the mugwort, add water to adjust to the appropriate water temperature and then take a bath.

2. Benefits of bathing with mugwort water during confinement

1. Dispel cold and relieve pain

After giving birth, women are deficient in both qi and blood, their pores are wide open, and the inside and outside of the body are empty. If they are not careful, they may be attacked by wind and cold, and experience symptoms such as body aches, coldness, and sweating. Mugwort has the effect of regulating qi and blood, expelling cold and dampness, and warming the meridians. After giving birth, mugwort water is often used to wash the body, which has the effect of dispelling cold, relieving pain, and eliminating dampness and cold.

2. Relax muscles and promote blood circulation

Affected by the hormonal changes in the body after childbirth, and the fact that the mother's muscles and bones are relatively relaxed, joint pain is likely to occur if she does not rest properly or is invaded by external evil. Mugwort can help the body raise yang, resist external evil, help the mother to relax muscles and promote blood circulation, dispel wind and cold, and promote blood circulation and metabolism around the joints.

3. Disinfection and avoidance of filth

There was a proverb that was once circulated among the people: "If you have mugwort at home for three years, you won't need a doctor." Mugwort can effectively inhibit a variety of pathogens, so bathing with mugwort water during the confinement period can disinfect and eliminate filth, warm the qi and blood, and prevent postpartum illness.

3. Precautions for bathing with mugwort water during confinement

It is best not to take a bath or soak in the tub during the confinement period to avoid infection due to uncleanliness. If you can ensure cleanliness, there is no objection to taking a bath. The length of time for each mugwort bath varies from person to person, and is generally appropriate for 30 minutes. People with rheumatic diseases can extend the bathing time appropriately, preferably until the body sweats. You can add appropriate amount of hot water according to your own adaptability to keep the temperature of the bath water at the most comfortable temperature. The elderly can also extend their bathing time appropriately but not too long. Patients with hypertension and heart disease should reduce their bathing time appropriately to no more than 30 minutes.