Moxibustion involves warming – using moxas – an acupuncture point and making the heat penetrate through the skin. The term moxa is believed to originate from the Japanese word Mogusa which designates a variety of sagebrush, the plant with which moxas are generally made. These most often come in the form of dumplings, cones or sticks. It is the heat given off by their combustion that stimulates the acupuncture points.

Cones. Dried mugwort reduced to fine pieces provides a fluffy-looking fluff that coalesces and shapes easily with your fingers, making it possible to create cones of various sizes, from a grain of rice to the size of half a date. Their size depends on the point to be stimulated and the desired effect. Cones are usually placed directly on the skin at the location of an acupuncture point. In order to increase the toning effect of the moxa, a slice of ginger, garlic or aconite, previously pierced, can be slipped between the skin and the cone.

The cone is lit at its top and burns like incense giving off a long-acting, even heat. The acupuncturist removes the cone when the patient feels an intense sensation of heat, but without burning the skin. The operation is repeated up to seven times on each of the acupuncture points to be stimulated. Formerly, for certain pathologies, the entire cone was burnt, which often left a small scar. But this technique is hardly ever used in the West. The therapeutic action of cone moxas usually persists longer than that of sticks. On the other hand, this method involves more risk of burns for the patient.

Sticks (or cigars). They are made with chopped mugwort, shaped into sticks or rolled in paper. They may also contain other medicinal substances. To use the sticks, simply turn them on and hold them a few centimeters from the acupuncture point to be treated or from the area to be warmed. The acupuncturist may leave the cigar on top of the skin without moving or move it slightly until the patient’s skin turns reddish and the person feels a pleasant warmth. Another technique is to attach a moxa pellet to the handle of an acupuncture needle and turn it on.

The technique can be used alone or in combination with treatment with acupuncture needles. It is believed to be the oldest form of therapy in China. Its most common therapeutic effects are to warm up when there is an Excess Cold syndrome, to invigorate when there is a Yang Void or, in general, to activate and circulate the Qi and the Blood in the Meridians. Moxibustion helps prevent or treat problems such as rheumatic, joint and muscle pain, certain digestive problems such as diarrhea, and gynecological disorders such as painful menstruation and certain infertility; in men, it helps treat impotence and spontaneous ejaculation. It is frequently used in the treatment of tired or chronically ill people to boost their vital energy. Finally, moxa is also very useful in certain cases of anemia.

Unpleasant smoke

The smoke emitted by the burning of mugwort moxas is rather dense and very fragrant. To overcome this problem, there is now smokeless moxa that looks like charcoal briquettes, but still quite fragrant. Several moxa substitution tools are now available to acupuncturists: electromagnetic heat lamps (widely used in hospitals in China), electric moxators and small butane torches that do not smoke the premises or the acupuncturist’s bronchi or of his patients …

Caution

Some people might be tempted to self-treat using moxibustion, especially since moxa sticks are readily available at Asian grocery stores and drugstores. Be aware, however, that there are serious contraindications to this practice: risks of sleeping poorly or insomnia, increasing fever, worsening infection (bronchitis, cystitis, etc.) or inflammation (bursitis, tendonitis). , ulcerative colitis, etc.), not to mention the dangers of burns. Some points are prohibited for moxibustion and it is not suitable for a large part of imbalances. It is best to let your acupuncturist tell you what is appropriate.