MOXIBUSTION is a technique of applying burning herbs at or near an acupuncture point on the body to warm cold areas and invigorate blood flow. In addition, the camphor-like properties of the herb, called mugwort (Artemesiae vulgaris), contribute to its analgesic quality when the resulting resin or smoke is absorbed through the skin. |
Moxa is processed and tightly packed into ready to use sticks. It can also be bought loose and molded to form balls that are placed on needles to intensify the effect ; placed close to the skin on a barrier such as a slice of ginger or salt; or tiny pieces the size of a rice grain are applied directly on the skin and burned as an alternative to acupuncture needles.
Several common complaints that have benefited from moxa treatment are low back pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, intestinal disorders, vomiting, skin infections, arthritis, rheumatic pain, numbness, muscular pain, and chronic conditions.
Direct application of moxa can cause small, temporary blisters on the skin which are normal aspects of treatment and no cause for alarm. However, those patients who scar or keloid easily should notify their practitioner beforehand so that other forms of moxa may be utilized instead.