During this period, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people have been staying at home. While at home, in addition to frequent handwashing and ensuring adequate indoor ventilation, one can also use traditional Chinese medicine fumigation to help dispel foul odors and ward off epidemics.

I. Disinfection and Epidemic Prevention   Artemisia argyi 、 Atractylodes Come help

Traditional Chinese Medicine boasts a wealth of experience in combating epidemics, and has consistently played a vital role whenever such outbreaks occur. In ancient times, physicians often employed the fumigation of medicinal herbs as a preventive measure against epidemic diseases. Given that the current epidemic is predominantly characterized by cold-dampness, it is recommended to use mugwort and Atractylodes lancea for indoor fumigation.

Instructions for use: Using dried moxa wool and Atractylodes, according to Use a 1:1 ratio, applying approximately 30–60 grams per 100 square meters of space. Soak Atractylodes lancea in 95% ethanol for one day; after removing it, allow it to drain briefly to remove excess alcohol, then mix it with moxa wool and ignite. Extinguish the flame and allow the smoke to fumigate for about 30–60 minutes, once daily.

In the absence of alcohol, Atractylodes can also be coarsely powdered and thoroughly mixed with moxa wool before being lit for fumigation. Moxa wool produces a relatively heavy smoke; if one is intolerant of such smoke, Atractylodes alone may be used for fumigation.

Precautions for Use: Place the fumigation device in an open indoor space, away from flammable materials. If flames appear, extinguish them immediately. Disinfection and pest control rely primarily on smoke; when using traditional Chinese medicine for fumigation, it is best to close doors and windows tightly. After the material has burned thoroughly and smoke has filled the room, occupants should temporarily evacuate for about Open windows and doors for ventilation after 1–2 hours. Do not use if you are allergic to smoke.

Artemisia argyi is a key herb for dispelling cold and dampness, warming the meridians to relieve pain, and warding off impurities and evil spirits; it has long been an important preventive medicine against epidemics in ancient China. Modern research also demonstrates that moxa smoke exhibits inhibitory and lethal effects on a variety of bacteria and viruses. Atractylodes lancea, on the other hand, dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, expels wind, and eliminates dampness. When combined, Artemisia argyi and Atractylodes lancea work synergistically to aromatize and transform dampness, as well as to purify impurities and clear turbid substances.

II. Stay Home to Fight the Epidemic: Regularly Drink Five Herbal Teas

Staying at home often leads to high levels of mental stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect daily life and sleep. ;Staring at news on smartphones and computers all day can cause dry eyes and neck and back pain; reduced physical activity and irregular meal times can also weaken the immune system. To alleviate the discomfort caused by these conditions, we recommend drinking five types of medicinal teas.

1. American Ginseng and Notoginseng Tea: Boosts Immunity

American ginseng piece 10 grams, Three-seven piece 5 grams, Red Lingzhi piece Take 15 grams of each—Chinese yam (stir-fried with rice to reduce its bitter astringency), astragalus root, and pitted red dates—and place them together in a herbal decoction pot. Add 1 liter of clean water and simmer for 40 minutes; the resulting infusion can be enjoyed as tea. A typical herbal decoction pot can keep the brew warm for up to 8 hours, and after it’s finished, the herbs can be re-decocted once more. If using an earthenware pot, add 1.5 liters of water and simmer for 30 minutes. Once the first decoction is strained off, immediately add 750 milliliters of boiling water to the remaining herb residue, simmer for another 30 minutes to obtain an additional 500 milliliters of decoction. Combine the two batches, store them in a thermos to maintain warmth, and drink as needed. It is recommended to prepare and consume this decoction 2–3 days per week.

This formula tonifies qi and blood, promotes circulation of the blood vessels, and harmonizes the five zang organs. It is suitable for general consumption to enhance immune function and disease resistance.

2. Honeysuckle and Scutellaria Tea: Detoxifies and Clears the Lungs

Honeysuckle 、 Scutellaria 、 Forsythia 、 Platycodon Each 15 grams, agastache, Perilla leaves 、 Mulberry leaves 、 Dryopteris Each 10 grams of Xuan Shen, 25 grams of Ban Lan Gen, and 30 grams each of Bai Mao Gen and Huang Qi, plus 5 grams of Gan Cao (for three adults). Place the above herbs in an earthenware pot, add clean water until the herbs are fully submerged—about 3 centimeters above the surface when pressed down by hand—and bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the decoction and divide it into three equal portions. Adults should take one portion daily; children aged 8–12 should take half the dose. It is recommended to consume this remedy 1–2 times per week.

When combined, the herbs in this formula exert the effects of clearing heat and dispersing the exterior, detoxifying and clearing the lungs, and transforming dampness while warding off foul odors, making it suitable for the prevention of warm-toxin epidemics.

3. Ho Xiang and Pei Lan Tea: Resolves Phlegm and Relieves Cough

Agastache 、 Peilan Each 6 grams, wide Dried tangerine peel 10 grams, steeped in boiling water and consumed.

In this formula, Agastache rugosa has the effects of aromatizing and transforming turbid dampness, harmonizing the middle jiao and stopping vomiting, as well as dispersing exterior pathogens and relieving summer-heat. ;Peilan has the effects of aromatizing and damp-drying, invigorating the spleen and stimulating the appetite, as well as dispersing exterior pathogens and relieving summer-heat; among all varieties, tangerine peel produced in Guangdong is considered the finest and is specifically called “Guang Chenpi.” It functions to regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and transform phlegm, making it suitable for symptoms such as distension and fullness of the epigastrium and abdomen, poor appetite with vomiting and diarrhea, and cough with copious phlegm.

When used in combination, these three herbs can aromatize and transform dampness, dispel turbid pathogenic factors and purify impurities, strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, and resolve phlegm to relieve cough. They are indicated for patients with cold-damp obstruction of the spleen, poor appetite and food stagnation, and cough with copious phlegm.

4. Goji and Chrysanthemum Dendrobium Tea: Nourishes the Liver and Brightens the Eyes

Goji berry 15 grams, Hangbai Chrysanthemum 10 grams, Dendrobium officinale 10 grams (chopped). Wash the above herbs thoroughly, place them in an earthenware pot or a health-preserving kettle, add 1 liter of water, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the decoction and drink it as tea. Alternatively, you can simply put the herbs in a thermos and steep them with boiling water.

When all three flavors are used together, they nourish the kidneys and liver, improve vision, moisten the lungs and relieve cough, and generate body fluids to quench thirst—making this tea particularly suitable for those who spend long hours staring at computers or smartphones to prevent and alleviate eye soreness and fatigue, as well as lower back and shoulder pain. This tea can also be used as an adjunct treatment for conditions such as dry-heat injury to the lungs with dry cough, heat-induced depletion of body fluids with dry mouth and intense thirst, internal heat leading to excessive thirst, deficiency-related exhaustion with seminal emission and sexual dysfunction, blood deficiency with pallor and jaundice, blurred vision, dizziness and tinnitus, and yang deficiency with erectile dysfunction and nocturnal emission.

5. Xiangfu, Perilla, and Peppermint Tea: Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi

Each of Cyperus rotundus and Perilla frondosa 5 grams, with 3 grams of peppermint; steep in boiling water and drink.

Xiangfu has the effects of soothing the liver and resolving depression, regulating qi and relieving distension in the middle burner, and regulating menstruation to relieve pain; it is commonly used for symptoms such as liver depression with qi stagnation, distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, spleen-stomach qi stagnation, and amenorrhea with dysmenorrhea. Perilla not only promotes sweating to dispel cold and resolve exterior pathogenic factors, but also regulates qi, relieves distension in the middle burner, resolves depression, and stops vomiting—making it particularly suitable for exterior patterns due to wind-cold accompanied by chest tightness and vomiting. Even when there are no exterior symptoms but rather symptoms of qi stagnation and disharmony, it can still help to unblock and circulate qi. Peppermint can disperse wind-heat, clear and benefit the head and eyes, promote the throat and bring out rashes, and soothe the liver while regulating qi. When these three herbs are combined, they can dispel wind and resolve exterior patterns, soothe the liver and regulate qi, thereby effectively alleviating The discomforts of “staying at home” and “spring fatigue.”