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Moxibustion is the burning of cones made from the wool of the Mugwort plant on Acupuncture points, or on broad areas of the body to achieve specific healing effects. In many cases, especially of deficiency it acts similarly to the Acupuncture needle to stimulate the point. The Moxa leaf is bitter and acrid, producing warmth when used in small amounts and strong heat when used in large amounts. Moxa is Yang in nature and is therefore used mainly to restore deficient Yang conditions. Moxa opens channels, regulates Qi and blood flow in the body, expels Cold and Dampness and warms the Uterus. Asthma, Diarrhea, Rheumatic pain, abdominal pain,
vomiting, certain Gynecological disorders, any kind of pain due
to cold or deficiency and deficient organ function are some of
the main disorders treated with Moxa. Direct Moxa The burning of Moxa directly on the skin is called
Direct Moxa. The cone is placed directly on the skin at specific
points and burned. Direct Moxa is The Non-Blistering method, is similar except that the cone is removed before the skin is damaged. Heat is still felt but the cone is removed before it becomes intolerable. With the Non-Blistering method it may take more treatments to achieve the desired effect. Usually a treatment consists of 6 to 10 cones on each point.
Indirect Moxa With Indirect Moxa something is placed between the burning Moxa and the skin. This is less painful and reduces the risk of infection. This is the method preferred by modern practitioners. Some common substances used are slices of Ginger, Garlic, Salt, Aconite, Pepper, and mud. The use of pre-formed cones favoured at Compassionate Dragon is a form of Indirect Moxa. Moxa Sticks The Moxa Stick or Roll was developed in the Ming
Dynasty as a convenient, less time consuming and easily controlled
method of applying Moxa. The Moxa wool is wrapped tightly in paper
like a cigar. Sometimes the powder The Moxa Stick is lit at one end and held about 1 inch from the skin, the distance varying with the tolerance of the patient and the degree of stimulation required. Normally the stick is burned for up to 15 minutes or until the skin around the area is bright red. This method is used for pain due to obstruction (Arthritic type pain). The two main methods are spiraling, which is waving the stick in a circular motion over the area or point. The other method is called Sparrow Pecking in which the pecking motion of a bird is simulated. Contraindications Moxibustion is contraindicated with Febrile Diseases (where a fever is present), since it is unwise to add heat to an already overheated body, on the back or lower abdomen of pregnant women as heat may injure the fetus. Moxa is not to be burned in the vicinity of sensory organs such as the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes, nose or anus. Direct Moxa should not be used on the face, breast, where large blood vessels are located or on major creases such as the elbows and knees. Care must also be exercises when burning Moxa on areas of numbness or when the patient is unconscious.
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divided
into two types; a) the Blister-Forming Method, and b) the Non-Blister
Forming Method. The Blister-Forming Method is more intense and
as its name implies the cone is burned right down to the skin
such that a blister is formed. Usually the cones used in this
method are quite small, about the size of a grain of rice. Still
it can be quite uncomfortable for the client. The Moxa wool can
be mixed with powdered Cloves or Cinnamon to increase heat penetration.
Garlic Oil is sometimes smeared around the site to help hold the
cone in place and further stimulate the skin. As the cone burns
and the client feels pain, the skin around the cone is lightly
tapped to lessen the pain. Once the cone is burned right down
it is removed and the area swabbed with clean water. This process
is repeated several times; up to 10 cones per point, depending
on the condition. A blister will appear after a few days which
should be kept clean and dressed to 
prevent
infection. After about a month the blister forms into a small
scar. In ancient times, this process of blistering and scarring
was considered essential to obtain good results and is still used
occasionally today. 
of
other herbals is mixed in. The most common recipe is 24 grams
of Moxa Wool and 6 grams each of Cinnamon, Cloves, Sichuan Pepper,
Realgur, Saussurea, Angelica, Asarum, Atractylodes, Myrrh and
Frankincense. 
