Eatcm

A traditional part of Chinese medicine is a technique that involves the burning of a small spongy herb known as Hogwort in order to promote healing. It is a technique which has been used throughout China and Asia for thousands of years and the purpose behind Moxibustion is to strengthen the blood and therefore promoting good health by allowing and encouraging the flow of the Qi throughout the body.

What does Moxibustion involve?

There are direct and indirect methods of Moxibustion, the direct method involves a small cone shaped amount of , being placed on the tip of an acupuncture needle and burned. However, this type of Moxibustion is then divided into two different categories scarring and none scarring. During none scarring Moxibustion, the Moxa is placed on the tip and burnt but then quickly extinguished or removed before the skin is burnt.

If this type is used then the patient will feel some heat but only as a pleasant sensation and as long as the needle isn’t left in place too long then no scarring will take place after removal. With scarring Moxibustion, the tip is lit and allowed to burn completely and some local scarring, blisters and scarring after healing can then occur.

Indirect Moxibustion is the more popular choice as the risk of pain and burning is lower, indirect Moxibustion involves the practitioner lighting one end of a Moxa stick and holding it close to the skin but without actually touching the skin for several minutes until the skin turns slightly red.

There is another form of indirect Moxibustion and this is performed using acupuncture needles and Moxa, a needle is then inserted into an acupoint on the skin and then the tip of the needle is wrapped in Moxa and ignited. This will then send heat down the needle and to the surrounding area, when the effect has been achieved the needle is removed.

Why is the herb Mugwort used?

Mugwort has a long history in Chinese folk lore and medicine, research have shown that it acts as an emmenagogue; this means that it increases the blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus. It is often used in the treatment of breech births and to ease menstrual cramps.

Is Moxibustion a safe treatment to have?

Moxibustion has been safely used for thousands of years in china, however it is a treatment that isn’t suitable for everyone, the treatment is specifically used to treat those people suffering from cold or those with stagnant constitutions.

Due to this, it is a treatment which shouldn’t be used on people who have been diagnosed with too much heat. The burning of the Moxa also produces a great deal of smoke and has a particular stagnant odour so those suffering from respiratory illnesses should take care when considering treatment.