The Magic of Moxa

Moxa, also known as Mugwort in English and Artemesia Vulgaris in Latin, is a very special Chinese herb which is applied externally and sometimes decocted as a tea to be taken internally. With a unique spongy texture and a long history of medical use, moxa is one of the highlights of Chinese Medicine! This article will focus on its external use.

The Chinese word "zhenjiu" -- which is now translated as "acupuncture" -- actually describes the combination of acupuncture with moxibustion, or moxa-burning. The two techniques used to be understood as two essential parts of one fundamental approach to treating disease and maintaining health.  In modern American acupuncture clinics, moxa is used very frequently but still gets far less media attention than acupuncture.

There are a variety of methods for the practice of moxibustion depending on the style of treatment and the condition of the patient. Traditionally, small amounts of the herb are burned directly on the skin, but some Acupuncturist  use indirect moxibustion style. Some use cigar or pole, platform, herb insulated moxibustion. To protect our own health, some avoid inhaling the thick smoke of regular moxibustion by mainly using a smokeless moxa pole, which is a rod of charcoal impregnated with moxa. The ignited pole is held above the point or area being treated, and does not come into contact with the skin. The patient experiences a warming sensation and reports feeling very comfortable and relaxed during the treatment.

In conjunction with acupuncture...       ...moxa therapy is especially useful for treating the following conditions:

Pain: One of moxa's active components, borneol, is commonly used in topical therapies for its antiseptic and analgesic effects. ·    Arthritis and other painful joint conditions ·    Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or repetitive strain injuries ·    Sprains and Strains: Speeds healing of damaged tissue ·    Muscle tension or stiffness: moxa relaxes tension and increases circulation ·    Decrease swelling and inflammation Reproductive: Research has shown that moxa acts as an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and regulates menstruation. ·    Menstrual cramps and pelvic inflammatory disease ·    Enhance fertility via increased circulation of blood to uterus ·    Turn breech babies to a normal position ·    Reduce the intensity and duration of labor pains ·    Labor induction General: ·    Reduce the appearance of old scars ·    Boost immune system for cold and flu treatment and prevention ·    Chronic autoimmune-related illness ·    Open bronchial airways for asthma ·    Digestive disorders such as IBS and diarrhea ·    Gastric, abdominal, or intestinal pains ·    Fatigue A few more bonus points for moxa: 1.  It can be used for treating children or those who are severely needle-phobic. Treating acupuncture points with moxa alone can gently stimulate the action of the point just through the heat and energy from moxa itself. 2.  In my personal clinical experience I have observed that moxa treatment used in combination with acupuncture often allows patients to enter a more relaxed state of rest than just acupuncture treatment alone. Within the first few minutes of moxibustion, I notice that my patients' breathing becomes much deeper and slower as their body and mind let go of pent-up tension 3.  Aside from being useful to treat the above conditions and as a preventative measure tomaintain health, moxa has been known throughout the ages as an agent that can prolong life!Its famous reputation for promoting longevity goes back to ancient classic Chinese Medical texts.