Moxibustion in Acupuncture: What is Moxa?
Moxa is a method of relieving pain by burning dried Mugwort on or near the skin. This is done to draw “bad energy” out of the body or promote blood circulation. Moxibustion can also be used for moxa rolling, where the leaves are ground into a paste and then applied to areas of stiff muscles and joints.
Moxibustion has been used for over two thousand years in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. It’s still widely practiced today as alternative medicine that can be safely performed at home without any side effects.
What Is Mugwort?
Mugwort is an herb with many uses. The most common one is the use of Mugwort to create a tea brewed for headaches, stomach aches, or even nervous tension. For its fragrance, some people claim Mugwort will attract the love of your life.
What does it smell like?
Moxa smells like a cross between tobacco, eucalyptus, and sage. The smell of Moxa is a mild and licorice-like scent that’s reminiscent of green apples. As a bonus, many people find that this herbal treatment relieves stress. Moxa comes in the form of hand-rolled cones, which are smoked on or near an acupuncture point.
What is it used for?
It’s useful for treating various health issues, including anxiety, headaches, and digestive problems. Moxibustion therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatment strategies to reduce symptoms and maximize its benefits. Moxibustion is also used for issues with blood circulation, pain relief, reducing inflammation in joints, menstrual cramps, and toning the body. The heat from these burning leaves stimulates different points in the body to help boost energy. It’s used often after the surgery to reduce swelling and discomfort. Here are some helpful moxibustion uses in Chinese medicine:
1) To stimulate blood circulation in the arms before an operation
2) For toning up muscles after a workout
3) For treating localized pain or inflammation
4) To relieve menstrual cramps
5) To treat enlarged tonsils or adenoids
6) After surgery to speed up recovery.
The Classification and the Efficacy of Moxibustion
The word “Moxibustion” translates from the Chinese language to “moxa burning.” In traditional Chinese medicine, it is a practice where long thin bundles of dried mugwort plants are lit and placed above or on acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of energy in a body.
In recent years, moxibustion has been used extensively to treat various types of pain, including headaches, back pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and others. It has been shown that it can help reduce inflammation and swelling as well as provide relief from symptoms such as fatigue and insomnia.
How does it work?
Moxibustion can be applied directly or indirectly. Indirect moxibustion, the Moxa is directly placed on the skin over a specific acupuncture point. Direct moxibustion is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine therapies. Derived from an ancient practice, this therapy can help promote health and balance in the body. It is also beneficial for treating acute or chronic pain, as well as other common ailments. The way it works is by applying heat to particular points on the surface of the skin through moxa sticks—compressed dried Mugwort that has been burned at high temperatures.
Bottom line.
Moxibustion has been successfully used in addition to acupuncture treatments for thousands of years and has been successfully used in the White Crane Clinic as well. If you’re looking for an alternative way to relieve your ailments, look into acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Board-certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine and the owner of White Crane Clinic in Tarpon Springs, Florida. With over a decade of clinical experience, she specializes in integrative care that blends acupuncture, herbal medicine, and regenerative therapies for whole-body wellness.
