After the beginning of summer, the heat gradually increased. How to protect health through natural methods in the face of mosquito and insect infestations and heatstroke? The ancients had already given the answer - traditional Chinese medicine sachets. This kind of accessory, which uses natural herbs as the core and silk as the clothing, is not only an elegant and charming item that "gradually produces fragrance", but also a crystallization of the wisdom of the traditional Chinese medicine external treatment method "Cloak Therapy" that has been passed down for thousands of years. Qu Yuan, a fashionable item that emerged from Chu Ci, wrote in his poem "Li Sao": "Hu Jiang Li and Bi Zhi Xi, wearing autumn orchids as accessories." Gracilaria, Zhi, and autumn orchids are all named after herbs, and the poem describes wearing herbs on the body, which is the prototype of a sachet. Fragrant sachets are popular in both the court and the common people. Nobles carve sachets with gold, silver, jade, and jade, while commoners embroider them with cloth and silk. Among them, the most famous is undoubtedly the grape flower bird patterned silver sachet worn by Yang Guifei in the collection of Shaanxi History Museum. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, sachets were more widely used, and their cultural meanings were more interesting. Wearing sachets is not only a trend nowadays, but also a traditional Chinese medicine external treatment method. People can directly act on the mouth, nose, and muscle surface by smelling the aromatic gas emitted from the sachet. Through the flow of qi and blood meridians, it spreads throughout the body, regulating the balance of yin and yang, dispelling wind and evil, and unblocking various orifices to prevent diseases and nourish the body. Modern research suggests that the three major epidemic prevention stars in traditional Chinese medicine sachets, mugwort and calamus, can emit a strong fragrance and create a high concentration environment around the human body. Aromatic odors can stimulate the nervous system, increase the content of secreted immunoglobulin, thereby inhibiting the growth of various pathogenic bacteria and enhancing the body's disease resistance. At the same time, aromatic Chinese medicine can also have mosquito repellent and insect repellent effects. Ai Ye Ai, also known as Ai Cao, is the dried leaf of the plant Ai. Artemisia argyi has been considered a natural insect repellent plant since ancient times, and its volatile oil component eucalyptus oil can effectively repel mosquitoes and insects. Ai Cao sachet is like a small "mosquito repellent field" that keeps mosquitoes out. In addition, mugwort itself also has certain bactericidal and dehumidifying effects, especially in humid seasons. Hanging a few mugwort sachets can not only repel mosquitoes but also improve indoor air quality, killing two birds with one stone. Acorus calamus, like mugwort leaves, has the function of aromatic purification. The leaves of fresh Acorus calamus are narrow and sharp like blades, with subtle serrations on the edges and a special aroma. They are hung on the door lintel during the Dragon Boat Festival and can "chop off a thousand evil spirits". When cut into pieces and put into sachets, mosquitoes will also be afraid of its "green slate mixed with pine resin" smell. Modern research has shown that the mosquito repellent effect of Acorus calamus is closely related to the volatile oil it contains. The main chemical components are β - Asarone and α - Asarone, which have various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, blood lipid regulation, and antidepressant. Xionghuang is a sulfide mineral and a mineral medicine containing heavy metal arsenic. Its efficacy and safety depend on the quality of the ore and reasonable processing. The ancient people began to use realgar to repel mosquitoes and kill insects very early. Every Loong Boat Festival, they scattered realgar powder, drank realgar wine and made realgar sachets. However, unprocessed realgar is highly toxic, and improper processing or use can easily generate arsenic trioxide, the highly toxic substance arsenic. Homemade or indiscriminate use of realgar not only fails to achieve the goal of warding off evil and detoxifying, but may also lead to poisoning. So, if realgar is needed in the sachet, please use it under the guidance of a doctor. Take a deep breath together with the medicine according to the recipe. The sachet is not only used for decoration due to its beauty, but also has the functions of fragrance, insect repellent, pest avoidance, and disease prevention. Therefore, there is a saying in folk culture that "carrying a vanilla bag is not afraid of the five pests". Traditional Chinese medicine sachet is a "breathing prescription" that carefully selects herbs to enter the body quietly through the mouth, nose, and skin pores through their aromatic properties. The prevention and treatment of respiratory infections can be achieved by using ingredients such as hawthorn, Atractylodes macrocephala, Gaoben, Acorus calamus, and Borneol. The prevention and treatment of influenza can be achieved with ingredients such as Huoxiang, Dingxiang, Muxiang, Qianghuo, Baizhi, and Acorus calamus. Soothing and sleep aid can be achieved with flowers such as acacia, lavender, night wisteria, and yuanzhi. You can use ice flakes, Acorus tatarinowii, Atractylodes macrocephala, Sandalwood, etc. to refresh and invigorate your mind. Mosquito repellent summer mugwort leaves, Acorus tatarinowii, Houttuynia cordata, Angelica dahurica, cloves, mint, etc. It should be noted that people with allergies, asthma patients, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and other groups are not recommended to use sachets. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine sachets, as an external treatment for disease prevention, cannot replace drug therapy. If obvious symptoms appear, it is necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner to avoid delaying treatment. In addition, sachets should be avoided from being placed in damp or direct sunlight during use to avoid shortening the usage time. After the fragrance of the sachet dissipates, it will become ineffective, and the powder should be replaced in a timely manner. (New Society)