Moxa treatment, also called Moxibustion, traditional medical practice that originated in China and then spread to Japan and other Asian countries. It is performed by burning small cones of dried leaves on certain designated points of the body, generally the same points as those used in acupuncture. The term derives from the name of the wormwood plant most frequently used, Artemisia moxa, or (Japanese) A. mogusa. Acupuncture and moxibustion are sometimes used in combination for the treatment of disease and for anaesthsia.
From ancient times, the Chinese believed that burning or heating certain points on the body increased circulation “full-bloodedness” and relieved pain. Generally, points near large blood vessels, eyes, and ears are treated with moxa, because acupuncture at these points is deemed inadvisable. The process was developed in northern China and was probably first used to relieve the pains of rheumatism. In ancient times the points on the skin were actually blistered by burning, but now the areas to be stimulated are warmed. Hot rods were replaced by rolled leaves of the mugwort, mulberry, ginger, and aconite plants.
In modern practice the herb is usually crushed, wrapped in special paper, and, when lit, held above the point to be warmed or placed on the skin and removed before overheating occurs. The Japanese developed small tubes, fitted with handles, in which the powdered plant is burned away and heating is controlled by the therapist. A moxa stick burns for four or five minutes; it is used to relieve pain and congestion and to provide an aesthetic effect. Pieces of heated ginger are used to treat stomach-ache, vomiting and diarrhoea, and rheumatic pain; garlic is applied in respiratory disorders; and salt is used to stimulate the abdominal organs. Chinese practitioners emphasize the importance of correct body positioning for best results. Attempts have been made to correlate the acupuncture–moxa treatment with accepted Western treatment for specific ailments. Although stimulation of points on the body by moxa is believed to affect the autonomic nervous system, no physiological basis for moxibustion has yet been found. Because of the difference of quality and processing of moxa between Japan and China, Japanese acupuncturists in general prefer direct moxibustion while Chinese therapists do indirect moxibustion, especially stick moxa. It requires a great deal of training for a therapist to master the direct moxibustion techniques, but it is much more effective than indirect moxibustion.
Moxa or moxibustion is a term derived from the Japanese word mogusa or mo kusa, meaning, “burning herb.” It can be found in many forms, from moxa “wool” to moxa pressed into a charcoal stick, but it is always harvested from the mugwort plant (artemisia vulgaris or artemisia argyii). After harvesting, the leaves are ground aged for 3-5 years before use. Chinetsukyu or “Cone Moxa” is a moxibustion technique used in Japanese Acupuncture treatments. Only in Japan are there separate licenses for the practise of acupuncture and moxibustion. This requires practitioners to uphold a high standard of training in moxibustion therapy. While there is a technique adjunct to acupuncture outside of Japan, moxibustion therapy in Japan requires a higher degree of specialization to obtain a National licence.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual The translation of the Chinese character for acupuncture, zhenjiu: “zhen” stands for needle and “jiu” means moxa, or acupuncture-moxibustion. They are integral and complimentary modes of treatment: “A disease that may not be treated by acupuncture may be treated by moxibustion, The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.
