Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medical technique that involves the burning of Mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means “acupuncture-moxibustion.” The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.
How does moxibustion work? Does it hurt?
There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect.
In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped moxa is placed above an acupuncture point and burnt. This type of moxibustion is further categorised into two types: scarring and non-scarring. With scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on a point, ignited, and allowed to remain on the point until it burns out completely. This may lead to localized scarring, blisters and scarring after healing. With non-scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on the point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant warming sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but there is no pain, blistering or scarring.
Indirect moxibustion is currently the more popular form of care because there is a much lower risk of pain or scarring. In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Another form of indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. The head of the needle is then wrapped in moxa and ignited, generating heat at the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle removed.
What is moxibustion used for?
In traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion is used for people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and to warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi.
In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies prior to childbirth. A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998, found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth, had foetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Other studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the foetus in pregnant women. It is also used to reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture.
Why do acupuncturists use mugwort and not some other herb?
Mugwort, also known as Artemisia vulgaris, or Ai Ye, in Chinese, has a long history of use in folk medicine. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue, an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus, stimulating menstruation.
Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
Although moxibustion has been safely used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, it is not for everyone. Because it is used specifically for patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat. Burning moxa also produces a great deal of smoke and a pungent odour. Patients with respiratory problems may request that their practitioner use smokeless moxa sticks as an alternative.
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