Fresh wormwood. [File photo]

Editor's Note:

Sunday marked the first day of the fifth lunar month in 2020, and the fifth day will be this year's Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on Thursday.

According to traditional Chinese folk customs, the fifth lunar month is also called the "poisonous month" when many evil spirits and poisonous creatures prevail. There is a total of nine most "poisonous days" in this month, and Duanwu is the first such day.

The belief is based on the fact that insects and pests are active during this summer month, which can bring infectious diseases to both humans and animals.

A watercolor painting of wormwood (top); a traditional Chinese sachet for Duanwu Festival,by Douliyouxiangxiang. [Photo/tmall.com]

This becomes the reason why people put calamus on doors or windows to repel harmful insects from a house.

Another widely-used herb to stay safe and healthy on Duanwu is wormwood. Fresh wormwood is picked and put in the house, while the dried herb is often put into sachets and worn during the festival.

The herb, due to its medical functions, is not only a perfect choice for Duanwu, but also a daily necessity to many Chinese people. The craft to make wormwood incense has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage.

Here are some healthy products made from wormwood, which you can use during the Duanwu Festival, or the whole year, to stay healthy.

Wormwood incense, by Miaojixiang. The craft to make wormwood incense has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage. [Photo/tmall.com]

Wormwood incense

Wormwood can effectively repel mosquitoes and some uninvited insects in your house. Compared to chemical sprays, it is 100 percent safe for adults and children.

Incense is often made from wormwood that has been dried for at least three years. The longer the wormwood is dried, the stronger effect it will have. Wormwood dried less than three years will not function as well as you expect.

Wormwood sachet, by Shizhou. [Photo/tmall.com]

Wormwood sachet

There are many cute ones to buy, but you can make one yourself.

Wormwood soap and toothpaste, by Yuan, a brand from Taiwan. [Photo/tmall.com]

Wormwood soap, toothpaste and shampoo

Soap made from wormwood is a reasonable choice on summer days. It can leave a natural and herbal scent on your body. Unlike common perfume that may attract mosquitos, the scent of wormwood can repel them away.

Wormwood toothpaste and shampoo are good for your teeth and hair too, as the herb-based products can protect you in a safer and more natural way.

Moxibustion. [Photo/tmall.com]

Moxibustion

Similar to acupuncture, moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medical therapy to cure some common illness, such as headache, abdominal cramps and pain during menstruation. Unlike acupuncture that can only be performed by professional doctors, moxibustion doesn't need too many skills.

Wormwood essential oil. [Photo/tmall.com]

Wormwood essential oil

As the essential oil is extracted from large quantities of the herb, wormwood essential oil has a stronger and more direct effect.