Introduction to Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a therapy that evolved along with acupuncture millennia ago. Moxa helps open up blocked channels and heal the body. It can warm the meridians, invigorate the flow of qi and blood, strengthen the body’s resistance to disease, and help the body eliminate “evils” or harmful and toxic substances and energy.
Whether you have an excess or deficiency condition, moxibustion therapy will bring your body back into balance. A great example to demonstrate the power of moxa is turning a breech baby. Both in ancient Chinese medical texts and modern research, TCM doctors will use moxibustion on specific meridian points for 8-10 minutes, and within 3-4 days the baby’s head will usually turn. During winter, moxa helps warm the body inside and out. Ideally moxibustion is performed during the yang hours of the day, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
What is moxibustion?
Moxibustion involves using a specially prepared stick or cone made of mugwort and other herbal ingredients. The stick or cone is burned near specific meridian points to warm the organs and heal different conditions. It is primarily used to help cold conditions. Sometimes moxa is performed on people with weak constitutions to boost the immune system and prevent illness.
Moxibustion works through two primary mechanisms:
- Bringing warmth to an external meridian point that can penetrate deep into the internal specific organs without harming the skin.
- Adding the warm and fragrant properties of mugwort to the heat of the burning moxa stick provides additional warmth and healing benefits. The properties of the mugwort leaf can be absorbed by the skin into the body, increasing external immunity.
During the challenge, you will be learning and practicing what is known as mild-warm moxa. It is suitable for all syndromes and reduces the likelihood of burning or blistering the skin.
Mild-warm moxa method.
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