Making good use of Chinese herbal aromatherapy can improve your skin and beauty

my country has a long history of using traditional Chinese medicine for aromatherapy, which can be traced back to at least the Spring and Autumn Period. Chinese medicine aromatherapy can be roughly divided into two categories. One is that which uses fire, including steam fumigation, direct combustion, or mixing multiple medicines into a specific shape and burning them in an incense burner; the other is that which does not use fire, such as making sachets, scented pillows, etc. The following aromatic Chinese medicines are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and are suitable for ordinary people’s homes.

sandalwood.

Sandalwood is known as the "king of spices" and is also a commonly used incense for worshiping Buddha. It can promote qi and warm the middle, stimulate appetite and relieve pain. It is especially suitable for people with chest and abdominal pain and angina pectoris caused by cold and qi stagnation. The general usage of sandalwood is to put the incense chips into an incense burner and burn them. You can also use sandalwood to boil water and wash your face, which has the effect of removing dark spots and whitening your skin.

Perrin.

Perilla is a very common herb. Because it has a fragrance like orchid, wearing it can keep away evil, so it is called Perilla. Perilla frutescens can clear the head and is also known as "wake-up grass". Its fragrance is elegant, so it is often made into sachets and scented pillows. The scented pillows unearthed from Mawangdui in the Western Han Dynasty were filled with Perilla frutescens.

Mugwort.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, various precious spices began to enter the Central Plains. Few people burned local aromatic herbs anymore, so only the burning of mugwort was preserved. Because mugwort is pungent, warm and penetrating, burning its branches and leaves can repel mosquitoes and flies, avoid foul air, and remove corpse toxins. Therefore, in addition to wearing sachets during the Dragon Boat Festival, families will also burn mugwort to prevent infectious diseases and keep their families healthy. In addition, due to the spicy and penetrating nature of mugwort, it is often used in moxibustion to warm the meridians and cure diseases.

Musk.

Musk is a secretion from the glandular sacs of male musk deer and is often made into perfume. It has the effects of opening the orifices and refreshing the mind, promoting blood circulation and dredging menstruation, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It can treat bruises, coma due to fever, stroke and other symptoms. Ancient literati also often made it into "musk ink" for writing and painting. It is not only fragrant and refreshing, but also anti-corrosion and anti-moth, making it easy to preserve calligraphy and paintings for a long time.

Angelica dahurica.

Angelica dahurica is a commonly used medicine in traditional Chinese medicine. It has the effects of dispersing wind and dampness, opening the orifices and relieving pain. It is often combined with other spices to make incense and burn it. It is suitable for people with colds, headaches, and nasal congestion. It can also treat sores and whiten the skin.

Platycladus orientalis leaves.

Platycladus orientalis leaves have the effect of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, and promoting hair growth and blackening hair. They can be burned directly and are often used in combination with Angelica dahurica, Tonka cordifolia, etc. for bathing and fumigation. "Shennong's Herbal Classic" records that Platycladus orientalis leaves can "lighten the body and replenish qi, make people resistant to cold and heat, remove dampness and arthritis, and promote muscle growth."

clove.

The fragrance of clove is strong and slightly sweet. It can be made into sachets with other spices and worn. It has the effects of warming the middle and relieving adverse reactions, nourishing the kidneys and assisting yang. It is suitable for people with symptoms such as spleen and stomach deficiency, hiccups, vomiting and diarrhea, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, kidney deficiency and impotence.

It should be noted that although Chinese herbal aromatherapy has many benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Since most of the drugs used to make incense are pungent and dry, pregnant women should use them with caution, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, as pungent and dry products can easily cause fetal movement disorders, and musk is absolutely prohibited. Infants and the weak should not use it for a long time.