Frequently asked
Short, direct answers. For the long version of any of these, the Journal goes deeper.
A half-bath (반신욕, banshinyok) submerges only the hips and legs in warm water while the chest and arms stay dry and out of the tub. The temperature gradient between your warm lower body and cooler upper body is the point — it's a different routine from soaking your whole body, and it's the format both Mokutang soaks are built around.
Yes. Both formulas are manufactured in Korea by Budle Body (부들바디) and sold through Amazon US, shipping from Amazon's own warehouses with Amazon Prime delivery and a 30-day return policy.
Most half-bath guidance, including ours, targets 38–42°C (100–108°F) for 15 to 20 minutes. Always follow the specific directions printed on your product's packaging, since dosing and timing differ between formulas.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure (180 systolic or higher), heart disease, fever, acute illness, early cold symptoms, or anyone who has consumed alcohol within the last two hours should avoid hot or warm soaks unless a physician advises otherwise. This product is for external use only — avoid contact with the eyes and keep it away from children.
It's capsaicin from chili pepper (Capsicum Annuum Resin) working alongside hot water, not a substitute for it. How strong that feels varies by person and by how much powder is dissolved — start with the labeled amount before adding more.
The label directs it as a foot soak — dissolved in a small basin, feet soaked for 20 minutes. Plenty of customers also add it straight to a full tub; expect the water to turn tea-brown from the mugwort, and rinse the tub afterward.
Sweat is mostly water and electrolytes — your liver and kidneys do the real work of clearing metabolic waste, not your skin. A hot half-bath can still deliver real relaxation, temporary water-weight loss, and better circulation; we just don't call that medical detoxification.
Mokutang sells exclusively through Amazon US. Happy Tears and Mugwort Epsom & Himalayan Pink Salt are both linked from the Shop page on this site.