The health wisdom embedded in Dragon Boat Festival traditions

Duanwu, or Dragon Boat Festival, falls on Saturday this year. The festival is often associated with zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), dragon boat races and the commemoration of the poet Qu Yuan. However, beyond these well-known customs lies a profound tradition of health preservation rooted in ancient Chinese wisdom.

Occurring at the transition between spring and summer, the festival coincides with rising temperatures, humidity and increased risks of insect-borne diseases. Many of its rituals, developed over millennia, reflect a holistic approach to warding off illness and promoting well-being.

Hang mugwort and calamus

A key tradition involves hanging mugwort (Artemisia argyi) and calamus (Acorus calamus) on doors and windows. These aromatic herbs, valued in traditional Chinese medicine, release volatile oils that repel mosquitoes, flies and other pests. Their antimicrobial properties also help purify the air, aligning with the festival's theme of dispelling evil and preventing epidemics.

Wear herbal sachets

The practice of wearing embroidered sachets filled with herbs like clove, angelica root and Sichuan lovage rhizome dates back centuries. These herbs, known for their warming, antibacterial and antiviral qualities, were believed to strengthen the body's defenses against seasonal pathogens. The sachets' fragrant oils were thought to improve circulation and harmonize the digestive system – a blend of symbolic and practical health benefits.

While ancient custom had children wearing sachets on their chests and adults around their waists, the practice has shifted. Today, people seldom carry sachets on their bodies. Instead, they are placed in homes or vehicles or hung from keychains and shoulder bags for portability.

Take herbal baths

In southern regions of China, families prepare herbal baths using plants like mugwort, calamus and peach leaves. These baths serve dual purposes: cleansing the skin and treating ailments such as rashes or fungal infections. The herbs' antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties made them particularly valuable in humid climates where skin diseases were common.

Evolution of practices

Historically, drinking realgar wine – a mixture of fermented rice wine and arsenic sulfide mineral – was believed to "expel toxins." However, modern science reveals its dangers: realgar contains toxic arsenic compounds that can cause severe poisoning. Today, this custom has largely been abandoned or replaced with safer external applications, such as applying diluted realgar wine to children's foreheads as a symbolic gesture.

Meanwhile, zongzi embodies both culinary delight and medicinal insight. The sticky rice is said to nourish the spleen and stomach. Ingredients like red dates add blood-nourishing benefits, while beans contribute protein and fiber. Yet, traditional wisdom also warns against overindulgence due to its dense, sticky nature, advising one to two pieces per day to avoid digestive discomfort.

The Dragon Boat Festival's customs highlight ancient China's proactive approach to seasonal health challenges. By integrating natural remedies, preventive measures and dietary moderation, these traditions reflect a deep understanding of harmonizing human life with nature's rhythms. While some practices have evolved with modern knowledge, their core philosophy – prioritizing wellness through mindful rituals – remains timeless.

This blend of symbolism and science continues to resonate today, offering a cultural blueprint for living in balance with the environment.