Learn more about how moxibustion can support your wellness!
If you’ve been to an acupuncturist, there’s a good chance that you’ve encountered moxibustion — whether in the treatment or by simply walking into the clinic. Moxibustion burns various forms — cones, sticks, etc — of moxa which is made from the herb mugwort. But, what is moxibustion and why is it used in Chinese medicine?
At Lee Acupuncture in Newport Beach, moxa is a smell you’ll come to know and love in our acupuncture clinic. Follow along in today’s post as we dive into the Chinese modality of moxibustion.
What Is Moxibustion?
Mugwort is the herb used in moxibustion that burns with a beautiful plume of thick, aromatic smoke. Not only is it an earthy grounding smell but the it’s just in moxa or moxibustion to support your wellness. Moxa is lit and burns as a part of the treatment, similar to lighting incense.
Acupuncturists will use it along the same meridians and points as they would with acupuncture needles, but instead use moxa. Loose moxa is sticky and can be shaped into a variety of forms, but practitioners typically use a cone shape.
The cone shape is preferred because it rests easily on the body and the top of the cone can be quickly lit to be burned.
A moxa stick may also be used and this is a dense stick of tightly packed moxa where the end is burned. Instead of it having any contact with your skin, the stick is held right above your skin to apply the heat.
Why use moxibustion instead of needles?
The caveat to this is acupuncturists will actually do both! Not only can moxibustion be used on its own, but moxa can also be rolled into tiny balls and placed on top of the needles and burned!
The whole point of using moxa is to create heat to stimulate points and improve the flow of chi or energy.
What does moxibustion feel like?
Depending on the method that is used, you’ll really only feel warmth in the area where moxa is being burned. If it’s a cone, you’ll feel a slow warmth as it burns and then when it’s warm enough, the acupuncturist will remove the cone from your skin.
With the moxa on the needle, it’s the same principle — once there is enough heat (you control how much you can take) the needle is removed.
And, in the case of the stick, because it’s making no contact with your skin, it’ll b a nice warming feeling on the points your practitioner focuses on.
When do acupuncturists use moxa?
Moxibustion is very grounding and can be used for a variety of health concerns. People with arthritis and any discomfort that is made better with heat, moxibustion is great for. It can also be effective in gastrointestinal issues such as irregular elimination.
In women’s health, it is often used in breech presenting babies and in late-term pregnancies.
Because it is warming, many practitioners will use it in the fall and winter seasons to support the immune system and ward off any cold or flu strains.
Moxibustion is an ancient Chinese healing technique that implements the element of heat into a treatment by burning the herb mugwort. It’s great for a variety of conditions and smells wonderful!