A TRADITIONAL AROMATHERAPY TO WELCOME TET

WHEN THE HOUSE IS CLEAN AND TIDY AND THE OFFERINGS ARE RESPECTFULLY DISPLAYED ON THE FAMILY ALTAR, THE MOTHER WILL BOIL A LARGE POT OF CORIANDER-FILLED WATER FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO BATHE.

When the house is clean and tidy, the offerings are respectfully displayed on the family altar and the mother will boil a large pot of coriander-filled water for the whole family to bathe.

I“Cleansing the sadness all year round The afternoon of the last day soaked in the scent of a coriander bath”

f someone asks me, “What is the most nostalgic thing about the Tet holiday?”, I think it might be “the scent”! Familiar scents are always kept very deep in the mind of each person, whether far or near, whether in childhood or in old age. Summer scent is lotus fragrance in a cup of tea, autumn has the scent of green rice in the gentle sunlight and winter is being cold by the stove with the sweet smell of roasted corn and potato. And in the time of late winter and early spring, there is nothing more heartfelt than the scent of old coriander that warmly welcomes Tet on the last days of lunar year.

The childhood of a city kid like me, to be honest, is a bit less fortunate than that of the country kids. The disadvantage is lacking the stories and the games in close connection with nature or simply missing the opportunity to experience traditional customs. Therefore, Tet is like my little loving land because it was when I would spend time with my parents, when I was allowed to go playing far from my home and when I could do so many things that happened only in Tet.

There was nothing happier than going to the market with my mother at the end of lunar year - buying delicious food and new clothes, eagerly choosing lucky money envelopes and stopping by the vendor of old coriander! Why is there a scent so cool and warm at the same time? My mother took all the big bags and baskets, and I always held bunches of old coriander leaves, not worrying that my shirt was covered in mud or coriander flowers.

The memory of the old scent of childhood is always the same, sweet and unforgettable.

Although modern life is so different with many kinds of expensive perfumes or shower gels and soaps, no one will forget the old scent of childhood. No one knows where and when this cleansing custom started, but everyone knows that when the spring comes to the Northern Delta, the coriander vendors will appear in the bustling Tet market.

The scent of old coriander is always associated with the afternoon on the final day of the lunar year. When the house is clean and tidy, the offerings are respectfully displayed on the family altar, the mother will boil a large pot of coriander-filled water for the whole family to bathe. Just a handful of old coriander washed thoroughly, leaving the whole roots, boiling in a large pot of water is enough to bathe the whole family. Essential oils from leaves, fruits and from the trunk of the purple tree gradually release, making the water turn yellow brown and deeply fragrant. If the fresh scent has a refreshing taste, when boiled the scent is sweet and warm, waking up all senses. The fragrance also brings a little bit of pungency, which not only soothes the sweet coldness of the weather around to

Tet but also the scent that brings peace after the busy days of worries.

Custom states that a bath with mature coriander on the final day of the year will wash away all bad luck and sadness and welcome in a happier year. The bath is believed to help you purify your body and also have the relaxing and calming effect on your mind because of the distinctive aroma.

Coriander is not only used for traditional cleansing customs, but also valuable in Oriental medicine. The plants and leaves have a spicy and warm flavor and the effect of boosting blood circulation, cleansing and detoxifying the body. They are very good for people with nervous problems, depression and stress. That is why when bathing with coriander-filled water, everyone feels refreshed and relaxed.

There are things that seem small and simple, but become an unforgettable memory for every person. The scent of a pot of coriander-filled water in the air, gently touches each person’s heart and wake up a simple peace.