All of these conditions may be improved with Moxabustion.
Moxa (also called Moxabustion) is created from an amazing herb, Chinese Mugwort. One study placed many different herbs on a watermelon where each herb was burned. Mugwort was the only herb burned on a watermelon to penetrate with a dark line completely through from skin to skin. This warming quality brings healing energy for many conditions such as in the chest it soothes asthma; in the middle burner it relieves abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting; and in the extremities it helps relieve arthritis and rheumatic pain.
In Chinese medicine the nature of Moxa is said to be Yang. Yang energy is that energy that gives the body its functions and it movement. Moxa restores and warms weakened Yang; and it strengthens Yang from collapse. So it is often used when someone has been struggling with an illness to help rebuild strength and vitality.
Moxa courses through the three Yin. Yin energy is the heavier energy in the body which is represented as fluids coursing within the body. The Yin organs are the deeper organs -- the heart, lung, spleen, liver, and kidneys. The three yin are often considered the yin channels which run from the feet to the chest -- the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver channels.
Moxa opens the 12 primary channels. Many diseases are created from the blockage of energy in these primary channels. Moxa tunes up the entire body by opening this meridian movement.
Moxa is known to expel cold and dampness. Moxa is the burning of Chinese Mugwort with many variations. The bitter nature of Chinese Mugwort aids in resolving dampness in the body. In specific, it is warming to the uterus but may be used to warm many parts of the body.
Moxa is an excellent disease preventative and helps maintain health. It has been used as a regular treatment for longevity.
Since moxa is hot, it should not be used in febrile diseases of excess heat. In particular when one has a high fever such as in a common cold with a fever in excess of 102 degrees. It should not be used where there are hot areas on the body. Certain areas of the body should be avoided with moxa such as large blood vessels, skin creases, mucous membranes, sensory organs, prominent tendons, and the breasts. During pregnancy, one should avoid having moxa on the lumbar, abdomen, or sacral region.
Moxa should be used with caution directly over either the heart or liver. It should be used with caution on the Liver or Gallbladder channels since it can send Yang energy upwards through those channels to the head. If a patient has high blood pressure then it is best used below the knees. It should be used cautionsly with patients who have or can have chyloid scars, a congenital condition.
Typically, moxa is used with 3-5 cones per site or from 5 to 15 minutes per site. The variations in the use of moxa are quite fun. Some use it on needles, put it on boxes, keep it in ceramic dishes, or burn it on various substances on the skin. Ginger, salt, and aconite are popular choices for burning platforms. At one time practitioners direct moxa on the skin till it scarred was popular. I rarely see that today.
