What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of energy, and facilitate healing.
Direct moxibustion, involves the burning a small amount of moxa placed on top of an acupuncture point. The moxa can be either left on the point until it burns completely, which leads to scarring, or removed before it burns the skin.
In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner holds close to the acupuncture point a lit moxa stick until the skin area turns red. Alternatively, a needle wrapped in moxa is inserted into an acupuncture point and the moxa is ignited, generating heat.
Generally the patient experiences a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin and does not experience any pain, blistering or scarring, unless the moxa is left in place for too long. Due to the lower risk of pain or burning, indirect moxibution is a popular technique.
What is moxibustion used for?
Moxibustion has been traditionally used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. Studies have also proven that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women and the technique has been used to turn breech babies prior to childbirth.
In addition to the treatment and prevention of cold and flu, moxibustion is commonly used to treat digestive disorders, arthritis, and sexual dysfunctions.
Moxibustion is not for everyone. The technique produces smoke and a pungent order, which may affect patients with respiratory problems.