Transcript (en)

You might find it hard to believe, but handmade menstrual belts like this were used by women in China until the late 20th century. The belt consisted of a simple fabric pouch supported by a waist tie. The primary absorbent was wood ash, a byproduct of household cooking fires. Because ash is highly absorbent and antimicrobial, it functioned as an effective medical-grade material. After saturation, the ash was composted. The textile was washed in river water and dried to ensure cleanliness.