Wormwood is a very common plant, it has a long history, and it is widely used in traditional culture in our country. Compared to other plants, wormwood has unique advantages and values. In rural areas, wormwood is often used to ward off evil spirits, eat, medicinal, and make tea. Next, I will go into detail about several important advantages of wormwood and let's go and learn more about this amazing plant.
1. Exorcise evil spirits and ward off poisons: During the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, farmers and friends will pick wormwood and go home and insert it on the door to ward off evil spirits and drive away poisons. Wormwood gives off a strong smell that repels pests and five poisons. The Dragon Boat Festival coincides with a lot of rain and hot weather, and the five poisons are easy to grow, and the breath of wormwood can effectively drive away these harmful organisms.
Expansion: In addition to the Dragon Boat Festival, wormwood's exorcism and poison repelling effects are often used in other traditional festivals and celebrations. It is believed that the special aroma of wormwood purifies the air and protects the body. Therefore, wormwood is often placed in the compartments and cabins of trains, cars, ships and other vehicles to keep it fresh and hygienic.
2. Edible value: The young leaves of wormwood can be eaten as wild vegetables. Fresh mugwort leaves picked in spring can be stir-fried or processed into a variety of delicacies. Wormwood stir-fry not only has a unique aroma, but is also rich in nutrients that help boost the body's immunity. In addition, wormwood can also be used to make traditional foods such as Qingtuan, steamed buns, and cakes, so that people can feel the health value of wormwood while enjoying the food.
Extension: In addition to the herbaceous part, the flowers and stems of wormwood can also be used for edibles. The buds of wormwood can be used to make tea, with a fragrant aroma and a unique taste. The stems can be made into cigarettes, which are considered by some to be a traditional regulating grass tobacco, and its special smell is believed to have the effect of warding off evil spirits.
3. Medicinal value: Wormwood has an important position in traditional Chinese medicine and is widely used for medicinal purposes. The long history of medicinal use of wormwood dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Wormwood has a variety of effects such as warming the meridian and dissipating cold, dispelling dampness and relieving itching, and sterilization. In rural areas, if someone has scratches and bleeding on their hands due to farm work, farmers who understand the value of wormwood will immediately pick a few mugwort leaves and mash them, and apply them externally to stop bleeding.
Expansion: In addition to external use, wormwood can also be taken internally. Wormwood is dried to make powder, which has the effect of stopping bleeding and reducing swelling, regulating menstruation and nourishing the skin. In addition, wormwood is also commonly used in fumigation and moxibustion**, which is believed to warm the meridians, relax the muscles and invigorate the blood, drive away evil spirits and remove dampness, and relieve fatigue.
Fourth, the value of tea making: Mugwort tea is a tea drink that is not often used by people. It collects fresh sprouted buds, and after making them, the tea soup has a strong aroma, no bitterness, and retains the medicinal properties of wormwood. Mugwort tea is very suitable for people with a cold constitution, especially in winter, which can play a role in warming the meridians and dissipating cold.
Expansion: Smoked cake is an ancient tea-making process that uses a pressing method to process wormwood with tea leaves to make a cake shape. The smoked cake not only retains the aroma of the tea, but also increases the aged fragrance and medicinal value of the tea with the help of the special aroma and medicinal properties of wormwood. At present, smoked cake tea plays an important role in the traditional tea culture of some regions.
In summary, wormwood, as a plant with a long history and wide application value, plays an important role in rural communities. Its multiple advantages such as exorcism, poison repellent, edible, medicinal and tea-making allow people to recognize and use wormwood from different perspectives. Farmers should deepen their understanding of wormwood and use the multiple functions of wormwood to add more vitality and vitality to rural life. At the same time, we should also respect and protect rural plant resources, rationally use the value of plants, so that traditional culture can be inherited, and at the same time protect and develop the rural ecological environment.