One of the items in my Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) toolbox is moxa. As many people haven’t heard of it and I only use it in my clinic infrequently, I thought I’d share a short introduction to moxa today.
Moxa is a herb more commonly known as mugwort. Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy involving burning moxa, on or very near the surface of the skin. It helps to smooth the flow of Qi and blood and is a warming herb. This is one of the reasons that I tend to use it less frequently. More of my clients tend to have heat conditions already and would not benefit from the application of more heat.
The smell is moxa is very distinct, it does smell rather like marijuana, though it’s very definitely not the same thing. It can be extremely therapeutic and relaxing but it’s one of those marmite type items. Those people that dislike it, really hate it. It is possible however, to get smokeless moxa that doesn’t smell as strong.
Application
Moxa is applied to specific acupuncture points on the body, with different points resulting in different outcomes. This is why it is important to have moxa applied, or be guided in it’s application, by a qualified acupuncturist.
There are a number of different ways to apply moxa to the points including:
- cones – these can be burned direct on the body, on top of a buffer such as salt or ginger, or on the top of a needle;
- stick – holding it like a pen, move it over the point either in a circular motion or “sparrow pecking”;
- tiger warmer – a metal holder that contains the burning moxa stick, monitoring the heat, it can be used direct on the skin;
- box – for burning loose moxa (punk) or a moxa stick over an area of the body.
Please do not attempt to use moxa without qualified guidance. Incorrect use of moxa can result in burns, infection and other side effects. It is especially important to know which points to use and which to avoid, if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Research into the effectiveness of moxibustion is still in its early stages. It also cannot easily be separated from an assessment of the effectiveness of TCM more generally. The effectiveness of moxibustion has been demonstrated for several conditions however, and you can read more here.
If after reading this introduction to moxa, you would like to know whether it can help your health condition, then please email me or text me on 07865 593972. You can book a free 15min telehealth consultation at which we can discuss how TCM can help you.
Stay safe, stay well, stay home.