Shennong Moxa Products Factory
Origin of the Name
Suizhou is the ancestral home of Shennong, and his birthplace happens to be Lishan in Suixian. When we set up our factory, we wondered what name to give it. Shennong is the most famous figure from our region, so we decided to borrow his prestige—and thus Shenzhou gained a “Shennong Moxa Products Factory.”
Personal Reflection
Today I suddenly felt the power and suggestion that the name “Shennong” brings me!
Experimenting with Mugwort Leaf Tea
In our chat group, Xiaoniu mentioned she boiled eggs with mugwort leaf (aiye) and drank the tea afterward, experiencing various bodily reactions. After I explained the method to her, I realized I’d never tried that recipe myself, even though I reposted it in my journal and friends in the group spoke highly of it. Why hadn’t I tried it yet? So I told Xiaoniu I’d give it a go today. She laughed and said, “Stop making yourself the guinea pig!” Haha—she truly doesn’t know me: I love experimenting on myself, especially anything related to moxa.
I’d never brewed mugwort leaf tea before because I knew the dust from crushed leaves would scratch my throat with bitterness, even though it leaves a cool aftertaste. I dislike that kind of bitter, so I never boiled eggs with mugwort leaf. Also, mugwort leaf is mildly toxic, and old leaves shouldn’t be used for tea. But I had a small amount of fresh Qi moxa (qi ai) left from before Dragon Boat Festival—just enough for a safe trial.
Tonight I brewed some mugwort leaf tea and found it tasted just like the water from my usual moxa bath sachets. I bore the bitterness and drank a bowl, then simply observed how I felt afterward.
Embracing the Spirit of Shennong
Shennong’s spirit was all about hands‑on practice. I, too, prefer doing rather than theorizing—books are written by others, but I don’t like armchair talk; I want to experience scholarly knowledge for myself. In the moxibustion world there are countless legends about which moxa rolls are best. Only after years of working with mugwort leaf and moxa floss (airong) did I realize legends remain legends—you can’t tell without practice. I’ve bought and tested every kind of moxibustion tool to learn how each really works. Only those I truly endorse make it to my sales and promotions; even if they’re profitable, I won’t sell a product I don’t believe in. I respect facts. Whether it’s sticking moxa‑floss‑and‑pepper paste on the navel or soaking moxa floss in white wine, I try it myself first.
It seems I’ve unknowingly inherited Shennong’s spirit of trial and hands‑on exploration—and suddenly I feel very proud.