Moxibustion: A type of moxibustion therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves burning moxa cones or sticks made from mugwort leaves to warm and stimulate acupoints on the body for health maintenance and disease treatment. With the increasing popularity of moxibustion, many people keep mugwort leaves at home. However, after moxibustion, people usually just throw away the ash. But it actually has many uses. Zhou Lei, Deputy Chief Physician of the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department of Jinhua Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recommends several uses for reference.
First, mugwort ash has anti-inflammatory properties. If someone is accidentally injured, they can sprinkle some mugwort ash on the wound. Of course, this method should be used with caution if the skin is broken.
Second, in humid weather, some people are prone to athlete's foot. In this case, the antibacterial properties of mugwort ash can be helpful. People can apply it to the areas with severe athlete's foot to kill the fungus and relieve itching.
Third, mugwort ash is a natural deodorizer. Residents can put it in a small bag and place it in areas with strong indoor odors, such as the toilet, kitchen, or wardrobe, to effectively remove unpleasant smells. It's important to note that mugwort ash should be placed in a cool, shady place, avoiding direct sunlight or bright light.
Fourth, mugwort ash is also effective at removing dampness. Therefore, if you often have sweaty feet, after taking off your shoes at home each day, put mugwort ash in a paper bag and place it in your shoes. This will absorb the sweat and deodorize them.
Fifth, many people nowadays enjoy keeping flowers and plants at home, but some plants may not thrive if you only water them and don't fertilize them. Artemisia argyi ash is a great wood ash fertilizer; mixing it into the soil greatly helps plant growth.
