Hi everyone, I'm Ally.
This is called Chinese mugwort,
and it played a huge part in the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival
in ancient China.
I'll tell you the reason and why you should definitely use it today.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival,
falls on the 5th day of the 5th month on the traditional Chinese calendar.
Ancient Chinese people believed the 5th month of the Chinese calendar
is an unlucky month and the 5th day is an unlucky day,
because the temperature is rising
and all insects and germs are becoming active again.
So there are many traditions related to keeping disease away.
For example, gathering Chinese mugwort and hanging them on the door.
But why Chinese mugwort? What's so special about this plant?
The Chinese mugwort is one of the most versatile herbs.
In the West, we say an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
In ancient China, there's a saying,
mugwort for three years keeps the doctor away.
In traditional Chinese medicine, there's a therapy called moxibustion.
Doctors have been using the method of burning dried mugwort sticks
on acupuncture points
to treat illnesses for thousands of years.
Modern science has proven that the substance in mugwort smoke
has a disinfecting property.
It's also a medicinal herb that can be used to treat people with period cramps,
cold hands and feet, blood circulation issues, colds, coughs, and more.
People often take a bath or soak their feet with mugwort in water.
Because of all the benefits of mugwort,
Chinese people had a custom of hanging this plant on the front door
to expel evil spirits.
In ancient China,
people believed that disease and plagues did not happen by chance.
They're usually spread by ghosts or spirits.
Hanging Chinese mugwort will chase the evil spirits away
and protect the health of the family.
People will also put the plant into a sachet and carry it around.
My favorite property of mugwort is that it's an insect repellent,
and it's especially effective against mosquitoes.
Compared to other natural plants with distinctive smells,
such as rosemary and lemongrass,
Chinese mugwort was the most effective in keeping mosquitoes away.
So just burn some mugwort leaves and you're all set.
Other than being a medicinal herb, amulet against evil spirits, and insect repellent,
the Chinese mugwort is also a delicious plant that can be made into many dishes.
You can cook it by itself, with eggs, with meat and other veggies,
make a cake, make zongzi, make mochi, brew tea, and make wine with it.
You might be thinking mugworts are so useful,
but where can they be found?
Luckily, they're rather common and easy to find.
I live in the US and we have them on the sides of the road
and growing in backyards and parks.
These are all wild-grown mugworts.
You can tell by the shape of the leaves
and the tiny white hair on the back of the leaves.
It's June right now, so they're not too tall yet.
You can harvest them now and dry the leaves to use later.
These are the dried leaves.
You can burn the leaves directly
or use them to make soap, hand cream, or essential oils.
The plant will keep growing taller and eventually bloom in September.
And these are the dried flowers of mugworts.
So now you know, other than eating zongzi and watching dragon boat racing,
there are also traditions involving mugworts,
and the Dragon Boat Festival is not complete without it.
It's an extremely versatile plant and is still useful today.
Go out there and see if you can find some near you.
Thank you for watching.
I'll be making more videos about traditional Chinese culture and values,
as well as Chinese fashion and history.
So don't forget to subscribe if you want to learn more.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival, I'll see you next time!
