Moxibustion is one of the techniques used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which a stick or cone of dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), in TCM it is called moxa is burnt, either directly on the skin or indirectly above the skin over specific acupuncture points. Moxa is available in a loose form that can be used for making moxa cones. Alternatively, moxa is packed and rolled in a long stick like a large cigar, about 15-20 cm long and about 1-2 cm in diameter. Also small moxa cones about 1cm long and 0.5cm in diameter are available which can be put directly on an acupuncture needle to warm up the acu-point.
The purpose of moxibustion is to warm the Qi and blood in the channels and stimulate and strengthen the blood and the life energy, or qi of the body. Moxa on acupuncture points is frequently done with acupuncture treatment for many kinds of ailments. The treatment brings warmth and helps strengthen the activity of the blood.
Moxa burns with a characteristic smell and can give off fairly copious amounts of smoke. Some patients may find the smell and the smoke difficult to tolerate and the odour will be retained in clothing and hair long after a treatment session. Smokeless moxa is available, but this can be very difficult to light and is not commonly used.
Common disorders treated by Moxibustion Therapy
Moxibustion is most commonly used when there is the requirement to expel cold and damp or to tonify the Qi and blood.
