Acupuncture and moxibustion are important inventions of the Chinese nation and originated as early 100,000 years ago when China entered the clan commune period in primitive society. In the ancient literature, there were many legends about the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion from the east coast inhabitants of China who lived on fishery. Moxibustion originated in the north where it was cold and windy, and people had to warm themselves by fire, living in camps and subsisting on milk where it caused abdominal pain and distension by cold, suitable to be treated by heat. Through long term accumulation of experiences, moxibustion therapy and hot compression were created.
Moxibustion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or certain locations of the human body. The material used is mainly “moxa-wool” in the form of a cone or a stick. According to the New Edition of Materia Medica, “the moxa leaf is bitter and acrid, producing warmth when used in small amounts and strong heat when used in large amounts…when burned, it penetrates all the meridians, eliminating disease.” The volume for moxibustion, including the size of the moxa cone or duration of the moxa stick application should equal the condition being treated.
The Chinese books on moxibustion list four functions and they include the following:
• To warm meridians and expel cold.
• To induce the smooth flow of qi and blood through the meridians.
• To strengthen yang from collapse.
• To prevent diseases and keep healthy.
There are some contraindications to using moxibustion as a holistic, complementary therapy. The Chinese define their syndromes by excess or deficiency, hot or cold, so someone experiencing a condition with excess and heat (think high fever caused by the common cold) should not be treated with moxibustion. If moxa is applied directly to the skin, (termed Direct Moxa) or some ash falls onto the skin, scarring may occur, depending on the degree and length of time on the skin. This is not usually done in the United States, and moxibustion usage varies from clinic to clinic because of the strong odor moxibustion is known to emanate.
Moxibustion is safe to use, and can be very soothing if done properly. The key is to find a practitioner who knows how and when to use it. For more information, go www.acupuncture-treatment.com.