My Favorite Pro-Sleep Routine: TCM Herbal Foot Pads  

If you’ve ever struggled with falling asleep or staying asleep, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, restful sleep can feel like a luxury. From the TCM perspective, something must be unbalanced if you experience sleep troubles. However, the type of imbalance may be different for each person. For me, I have dampness and coldness in my body and sometimes my hand and feet are cold even when I am tucked in the blanket. This makes me feel very uncomfortable and hence as I enter sleep, I sometimes end up with unpleasant dreams. I could drink some TCM soup before I sleep, but that would make me want to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. Therefore, I found TCM packed foot pads the solution that fits best with my lifestyle. Plus, they’re so easy to DIY! 

The Magic of TCM Foot Pads  

TCM foot pads are adhesive patches infused with a blend of herbs that you stick to the soles of your feet before bed. The idea is that while you sleep, the herbs work to draw out toxins, improve circulation, and balance your body’s energy (or *qi*). The result? A deeper, more restorative sleep.  The soles of your feet are considered a gateway to your body’s internal systems in TCM. By applying these pads, you’re tapping into a centuries-old practice that promotes relaxation, detoxification, and overall well-being.  

Here are Two Herb Combinations to Try  

1. Detox and Relaxation Blend

Ingredients: Vinegar or bamboo vinegar, tourmaline, and herbs like dandelion root. 

Purpose: This blend is perfect for those who feel overworked, stressed, or sluggish. The herbs help to draw out toxins and excess dampness from the body, while dandelion provides a soothing effect. It’s like a mini detox session while you sleep! 

Warning- bamboo vinegar also has natural antimicrobial effects and can come in powder form. However, they can be a bit smelly.   

2. Warming and Calming Blend  

Ingredients: Ginger, cinnamon, astragalus root, and poria mushroom.  

Purpose: If you tend to feel cold or have poor circulation, this warming blend is for you. Ginger and cinnamon help to stimulate blood flow and warm the body, while astragalus and poria promote relaxation and calm the mind. It’s like a cozy hug for your feet!

Additional Tips: If astragalus and poria are inaccessible, ginger and cinnamon would be sufficient for enough magic. You can chop the ginger easily. I recommend starting with a lower concentration to test your tolerance and preference. Substitutes for ginger are quite easy to find. I am from Taiwan and there are several indigenous species such as shell ginger and galangal ginger.  

DIY: How to Make Your Own TCM Foot Pad   

1 – Chop or mince and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

2 – Put them under your already cleaned sole.

3 – Use Saran Wrap to wrap your feet so that the herbal mix will stay put throughout the night. 

Some people (including myself) would notice that the pads have turned dark and oily throughout the evening and some of that is due to the excess impurities that are drawn out by the food pads. 

I highly recommend you give this a try. You will notice that when you wake up you feel much more energized! 

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**Have you tried TCM foot pads before? Share your experience in the comments below!** 🌿