Q16. How to use adaptogen bath soak ?
Key point: The concentration of the soaking liquor should not be overly diluted.
Before bathing, it is necessary to extract the active ingredients from the herbs in an adaptogen bath tea bag. This is a primitive and simple water extraction process. Simply put, it is the process of extracting the active ingredients from the herbs in bath tea bag into the water through boiling or normal hot water soaking. While maintaining a comfortable body temperature for the water, and keeping the water concentration as close as possible to the original or avoiding excessive dilution, these are the key factors for achieving the desired effect of an adaptogen bath.
Method for preparing adaptogen bath liquor
Method 1:
Add water to the pot, place soak bag in it, and bring it to a boil over high heat. After boiling, turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour the prepared liquor into the bathtub, add warm water or cold water as needed, and stir until the water temperature reach an appropriate level (recommended 38-42℃) or feels comfortable. Then, you can start taking a bath.
Method 2:
Place soak bag directly into the bathtub, add boiling water or hot water, and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Adjust the water temperature according to personal preference (you can choose warm water or cold water), stir evenly, and until the water temperature reach an appropriate range (recommended 38-42℃) or feels comfortable. Then, you can start taking a bath.
Apart from the above two methods, there is actually another more professional approach. This method is usually a specific boiling technique adopted by medical institutions for professional medical and treatment purposes. This method can maximize the extraction of the effective substances from herbal bath sachet, and the content of active ingredients in liquor reach the highest level. However, this method is extremely time-consuming and energy-consuming, and we do not recommend it for ordinary families unless you are a professional.
This method is as follows:
Use ceramic or purple clay type cooking utensils, and use pure water or filtered tap water. First, soak an adaptogen bath soak in room temperature water for 30 to 60 minutes. During the first decoction, boil over high heat (strong fire) until boiling, then switch to low heat (weak fire) for slow simmering for 25 to 30 minutes. After completion, filter out the medicinal liquid while it is still hot. Then proceed to the second decoction. Add cool water(approximately one-third of water as first time decoction), and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes less than the first decoction. Filter out the medicinal liquid again. Then carry out the third decoction, repeating 2nd step decoctions. Finally, combine the medicinal liquids obtained from three times decoctions. This is exactly the medicinal liquid used for bath.
Q17. Can I use cold water and take cold bath while using adaptogen bath soak ?
Adaptogen bath soak or Chinese herbal bath soak should not bath by using cold water, as cold water can hinder the release of active compounds from the herbs and cause pores and blood vessels to constrict sharply, reducing the effectiveness of the herbs. Using cold water counteract the intended healing and health goal of Adaptogen bath soak or Chinese herbal bath soak.
Q18.Can I take cold bath after finishing adapthgen bath ?
It’s not allowed to take a cold shower immediately after an hot adaptogen bath. We recommend avoiding cold showers on the day of adaptogen bath or throughout the entire cycle.
The reason as follows:
▪ Opening door to release pathogens& Closing door to trap evil.
During an herbal bath, warm water and herbal properties cause pores and skin interstices to open fully, promoting sweating, the elimination of metabolic waste, and the absorption of active components.
If cold water is applied suddenly at this time, the pores and blood vessels will contract sharply, trapping waste and “pathogenic factor” inside the body , also hindering further absorption of active ingredients. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is referred to as “closing the door and keeping the evils inside,” which can easily lead to the invasion of cold-dampness and cause discomfort.
▪ Increased Strain on the Cardiovascular System
After an herbal bath, the body experiences accelerated blood circulation and an elevated heart rate. Cold water stimulation can cause sudden blood vessel spasms and sharp fluctuations in blood pressure, placing additional strain on the heart and brain. Such behavior poses a great risk to people who have underlying heart or vascular diseases.
▪ Heightened Risk of Colds and Rheumatic Issues
The drastic shift from heat to cold weakens the body’s defensive energy (known as Wei Qi in TCM), allowing wind-cold pathogens to invade. This can easily lead to colds, headaches, and muscle or joint pain. Over time, it may contribute to rheumatic pain or stiffness.
▪ Counteracting the Effects of adaptogen bath
The warming, cold-dispersing, and blood-activating benefits of adaptogen bath can be negated by sudden cold exposure, undermining the entire therapeutic process.
Q19. What are the important points and precautions while using an adaptogen bath soak?
IMPORTANT NOTES
▪ Do not bathe with cold water.
▪ Do not take a cold shower immediately after adaptogen bath. Avoid cold showers on the day of the herbal bath or during a cycle of adaptogen bath.
▪ Do not take adaptogen bath if you experience symptoms such as fever, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, paleness, or fatigue before bathing, or if you are menstruating or intoxicated.
▪ If symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, shortness of breath, profuse sweating, or any other physical discomfort occur during the bath, immediately stop bathing. If the symptoms do not subside on their own after resting briefly, seek medical attention promptly.
▪ Bathing time should not exceed 30 minutes. 20–30 minutes is recommended for adults, 10–15 minutes is recommended for children and the elderly. Use daily or every other day, with a short-term cycle of 2–4 consecutive weeks.
PRECAUTIONS
▪ Ensure the bathing room is well-ventilated and keep warm clothing or heating equipment ready.
▪ Due to individual physical differences, it is recommended to limit the first time bath with new adaptogen formula to 10–15 minutes. Monitor for any skin abnormalities or allergic reactions within 24–48 hours. Discontinue use immediately if skin issues occur.
▪ Drink a cup of warm water before taking a bath (do not drink cold or ice water) to promote blood circulation and sweating.
▪ Do not take a bath within 1 hour after a full meal or during fasting.
▪ The recommended bath water temperature is 38-42℃. The water temperature should not be too low or too high.
▪ During a full-body bath, keep the parts above the chest out of the water. Immediately put on warm clothing after bathing to avoid catching a cold and rest quietly for a while.
▪ keep warm when bathing in winter & Avoid cold wind or catching cold when bathing in summer.
▪ Most of adaptogen bath soak can also be used for foot baths. Just use 1/3 of the bath sachet each time for one foot bath.
▪ Adaptogen bath soak are not suitable for infants, pregnant women. Elderly individuals should have supervision during whole bath.
▪ The prepared adaptogen herbal bath liquor should be used on the same day. Bath soak are disposable items and should not be reused. Do not use the remaining liquor from the previous night.
Q20. Is adaptogen bath better for a longer duration?
No, that is incorrect. The efficacy of bath adaptogen(liquor) does not increase linearly with prolonged exposure. Excessive bath time can strain the cardiovascular system and lead to dehydration due to excessive sweating. Therefore, one bath session should not exceed 30 minutes. For children and the elderly, who generally have weaker constitutions, the duration should be appropriately shortened and is recommended 10–15 minutes.
Q21.Can the bath tea bag be reused?
Adaptogen bath soak are designed for single use only. Do not reuse them. Once the bag is soaking in hot water, the liquor is prone to spoilage and should not be stored overnight for 2nd day use.
Q22.How to use adaptogen bath soak without a bathtub?
You may switch to targeted and local herbal baths, such as foot baths. The soles of the feet are densely packed with acupoints and reflex zones corresponding to various organs and systems throughout the body. Stimulating these areas can promote overall wellness. Foot baths are simple, convenient, and only one-third of sachet is consumed and needed while delivering comparable benefits. Hence foot bath is highly recommended.
Q23. Can the adaptogen bath soak be used for foot bath?
Every herbal bath bag can be used for foot baths. As mentioned, the soles of the feet are densely packed with acupoints and reflex zones corresponding to various organs and systems throughout the body. Stimulating these areas can promote overall wellness. Foot baths are simple, convenient, and only one-third of sachet is consumed and needed while delivering comparable benefits. Hence foot bath is highly recommended.
Q24.Will the bath tea bag dirty the bathtub?
Natural herbs may release plant pigments (such as pale yellow and light brown). This is a normal phenomenon and usually, the bath water and ordinary bath cleaner can easily remove them after the bath.
However, try to avoid the medicinal liquid coming into contact with light-colored towels and clothes as much as possible.
Q25.What is the best time for an adaptogen bath in a day?
The optimal time for an adaptogen bath is 1–2 hours before bedtime (around 8–10 PM).
Q26.How to enhance the experience and good effect of adaptogen bath?
You can enhance your experience of adaptogen bath with following tips:
▪ Pair with essential oil aromatherapy that shares similar healing benefits.
▪ Apply acupressure to points such as Yongquan (KI-1) on the sole of the foot (promotes sleep) or Hegu (LI-4) on the hand (helps relieve headaches).
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