Tibetan Herbal Foot SoaksSoaking your feet in a basin of soothing herbal infusion is more than relaxing, it’s potent medicine. Improve the effect of your acupuncture treatment by adding Tibetan herbal foot soaks at the clinic or to enjoy at home. The herbs in our foot soaks are sourced directly from small farms in Tibet and China and are part of a growing movement, benefiting small farmers bringing the best, premium quality herbs directly to our clinic – and to you! The small company helping us get our herbs dedicates part of their profits to Tibetan humanitarian projects with efforts that improves access to education, helps local economies, and preserves the pristine high altitude ecology and Tibetan culture.
These premium-quality herbal foot soaks are wild crafted by Tibetan farmers and cultivated with leading botanical experts in the high plateau of Tibet. They are recommended for many internal chronic health conditions, including: |
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Traditional foot soak therapy usually consists of boiling Tibetan herbal medicine while the clients have their feet in a basin. Steam from the medicine permeates the whole body and into the nose. The therapy acts on the blood vessels of the feet, which immediately circulates throughout the entire body, advancing blood circulation, dredging meridians, reconciling Qi and blood, expelling toxins, removing blood stasis, cleaning skin and beautifying the appearance, etc.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) says, "When there is a disease, soak the body to induce sweating". This follows the idea that many conditions need to be eliminated from the body in order to correct them, and sweating is an effective way to do so. Even science has been confirming the benefits of soaking as well: a study found that simply taking a warm bath before you go to bed can significantly increase your sleep (Click here to read the study). Thus, the combination of the herbal formula and the warm water is a potent way to the body to treat several conditions.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) says, "When there is a disease, soak the body to induce sweating". This follows the idea that many conditions need to be eliminated from the body in order to correct them, and sweating is an effective way to do so. Even science has been confirming the benefits of soaking as well: a study found that simply taking a warm bath before you go to bed can significantly increase your sleep (Click here to read the study). Thus, the combination of the herbal formula and the warm water is a potent way to the body to treat several conditions.
History and Application
Explore the history, research, and easy application of herbal foot soaks with our partners and colleagues Dr. Andrew Miles and Dr. Xuelan Qiu (Lan Miles), PhD. Click on the following link to listen to podcast. https://botanicalbiohacking.com/herbal-foot-soaks-2/
Or check out Andrew’s video interview here: https://vimeo.com/226318038
Or check out Andrew’s video interview here: https://vimeo.com/226318038
Keeping a Schedule
For chronic conditions, it is important to keep to a schedule. One treatment won’t fix the problem. Regular foot baths in conjunction with a routine that includes supplementary acupuncture and herbs, meditation or quiet rest, dietary changes, and exercise work best. It is advised that you use this routine with the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner if you have a medical condition.
Do Not Use If You Have/Are
- Open Sores, Broken Skin, Burns
- Currently have a cold/flu
- Metastatic Cancer Patient
- Pregnant
- Have Heart Disease
- Have Heart Failure
- Under the influence of Alcohol
Ingredients
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Herbal Functions & Benefits
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Instructions
- Choose a basin. You need a container large enough to accommodate both your feet and deep enough to cover your ankle bones. A Tupperware dishpan works well. An electric foot spa is ideal.
- Prepare the herbal infusion. Bring 2 litres of water (if you are using a dish pan) or 3 litres (if you are using a foot spa or a large bucket) to a boil in a large pot. Place one or two herbal tea bags into the pot (as directed by your practitioner), turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Reduce the infusion to proper soaking temperature. Add 4 litres of room temperature water (if using a dishpan) or 6 litres of room temperature water (if using a foot spa or large bucket) to your basin. Add the hot infusion to the water in the basin and stir thoroughly.
- Confirm the soak temperature is between 40.5-44.5 degrees Celsius (105-112 Fahrenheit) using an instant-read kitchen thermometer. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IF THE SENSATION IN YOUR EXTREMITIES IS IMPAIRED BY NEUROPATHY OR ANOTHER CONDITION. The ideal soak temperature is between 43-44.5 (110-112 Fahrenheit). Many people find this temperature uncomfortably hot when they first start soaking, however. It is ok to work up to this temperature gradually.
- Sit down and soak. Choose a place where you will not be exposed to drafts and where you can sit quietly without disruptions. It is best to avoid watching TV or using a phone or computer while soaking. Use the time to meditate, relax, or have a pleasant conversation.
- Maintain the soak temperature. It is important to maintain the soak temperature in the therapeutic range of 40.5-44.5 degrees for the duration of the soak (30-45 minutes). The easiest way to do this is to use an electric kettle to add small amounts of boiling water to the soaking basin every 5-10 minutes. REMOVE YOUR FEET FROM THE BASIN WHEN ADDING HOT WATER AND EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE USING ELECTRIC APPLIANCES AROUND WATER. ALWAYS CONFIRM THE SOAK TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 44.5 DEGREES BEFORE PUTTING FEET BACK IN THE SOAK.
**For chronic conditions, it is important to keep to a schedule. One treatment will not fix the issue.