Chinese Medicine Aromatherapy: Qingyang Sachets
The tradition of using aromatic herbs in Qingyang can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest practices aimed at purifying the air and warding off evil spirits. Mugwort leaves, known for their dehumidifying and mosquito-repelling properties, were highly valued for their fresh fragrance. People often hung mugwort near doors, windows, and roof beams to protect their homes from harmful influences and to improve the atmosphere. This custom was part of a broader cultural practice of using fragrant herbs to enhance well-being, a tradition that would evolve over centuries.
Qingyang is considered the birthplace of Qi Bo, the legendary ancestor of Chinese medicine. Although some sources suggest he was born in Qishan, Shaanxi, Qingyang holds deep cultural significance in the history of Chinese medicine. Qi Bo was among the first to recognize the medicinal properties of mugwort’s fragrance. He used mugwort in various ways—spraying mugwort-infused water to cleanse the air, burning the herb to repel insects, and crafting mugwort cones and balls to treat various ailments. Qi Bo’s insights laid the groundwork for many of the medicinal practices that would follow.
As the practice of using aromatic plants grew, the role of fragrance in health and wellness became more formalized. The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor, written during the Yellow Emperor’s reign, codified the use of medicinal herbs, marking a pivotal moment in the development of traditional Chinese medicine. The use of aromatic plants was no longer limited to folk practices but was integrated into a system of health care that emphasized balance and harmony within the body.
By the time of the Song Dynasty, fragrance culture had reached its peak. Aromatic herbs were widely used not only for medicinal purposes but also for their cultural and aesthetic value. The blending of various herbs to create sachets and incense became a deeply ingrained part of daily life. Qi Bo’s methods of aromatherapy, including burning mugwort to ward off mosquitoes, using realgar to prevent snake bites, and wearing herbs like atractylodes to protect against evil spirits, were widely practiced. Herbal mixtures such as atractylodes, angelica, and nard were commonly used to prevent illness, promote digestion, and offer a sense of general protection.
In Qingyang, this rich heritage of aromatherapy was preserved through the creation of embroidered sachets. These sachets, filled with herbs like mugwort, niuteng (spurred anemarrhena), angelica, ginger, cinnamon, magnolia flower, prickly ash, basil, and magnolia bark, became cherished cultural artifacts. The sachets were designed to align with the rhythms of the seasons, offering different scents to match the time of year: light, refreshing fragrances in spring, deeper, more robust scents in summer, balanced aromas in autumn, and uplifting fragrances in winter. This seasonal approach reflected a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and human well-being.
Today, Qingyang sachets continue to be a treasured part of local culture, symbolizing the long-standing tradition of using fragrance to promote health and harmony. The herbs used in these sachets are not only a link to the past but also a living testament to the cultural legacy of Qingyang as a center of medicinal knowledge and aromatic healing. Through the centuries, these practices have evolved, yet they remain rooted in the timeless belief that nature’s fragrances can soothe the spirit, calm the mind, and heal the body.
By Yu Ying
Edited by Andrew Miles