Exploring Mobixustion, the Fire Power of Chinese Medicine

Mugwort, Moxa, Moxibustion...

Moxibustion involves the application of smouldering Moxa (finely ground dried mugwort leaves) on specific areas of the body, in various ways, to stimulate the desired healing response.

The type of mugwort - typically Artemisia argyi - used for producing Moxa, offers numerous therapeutic advantages. Whether it is brewed into a decoction, transformed into a tincture, or indeed dried, ground, and smouldered for Moxibustion, this plant has a multitude of beneficial properties. The underside of its leaves appears whitish due to minuscule hairs containing essential oils. These oils and the tannins found in the leaves possess antibacterial properties and used either internally or topically, may relieve conditions like sore throats, infections, parasitic worms, certain digestive issues, and more.

When mugwort is ground repeatedly, its texture resembles a fluffy floss rather than a powder. This is what we use for moxibustion (see picture below). When burned slowly, it generates both heat and volatile oils. The effectiveness of this burning process greatly relies on the quality of the Moxa utilised. Japanese Moxa is highly regarded for its superior quality and refinement.

Different grades of moxa floss, from to coarse to fine

Benefits of Moxibustion:

Depending on how it is applied, Moxibustion can:

• enhance the immune system (https://www.moxafrica.org/resultsofresearch)

• improve digestion, leading to better metabolism of blood and reduced anxiety.

• alleviate pain by carefully adjusting the intensity and duration of application, activating various pain-relieving mechanisms, such as enhancing local blood flow, warming muscles, and relieving tension. Moxibustion is commonly used by Chinese or Japanese medicine practitioners to assist patients with conditions like menstrual pain, arthritis, shoulder, neck or back pain.

• activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting overall healing and relaxation.

• when applied to specific acupuncture points, regulate physiological functions based on the effects of these points, whether used individually or in combination. As part of your follow-up, your practitioner might suggest particular points and the most effective way to apply them for self-care at home. A commonly targeted acupuncture point for Moxibustion is Zusanli (Stomach 36). The quote below, from Yuki Itaya (reknown expert in koshiishi style moxibustion and international teacher) shed a light on what it is, anatomically, that we are warming when applying moxibustion to Zusanli:

"The large arteries and veins (inferior aorta and inferior vena cava) from the abdomen, divide below the umbilicus and head toward the leg. Both of them partially protrude from the outside of the knee. In other words, Zusanli is the place where the abdominal blood vessels come out to the surface. The meaning of applying Moxibustion to this point is not only for the knees, but also for lower back pain and rhinitis. However, the most important meaning of Zusanli is that it is effective against cold in the stomach area."

Some of the most commonly used methods of application

Direct Moxibustion:

• Tiny cones ("rice grain" or "half rice grain" size), placed directly on the skin and carefully lit with an incense stick, to create a - sometimes unnoticeable - pinch of heat. they are quickly extinguished, the smouldering part not intended to touch the skin.

  
  

• Larger cones lit up similarly and removed when the heat becomes too intense by the patient's perspective. These large cones (can range between 1 to 2 cm in base diameter), are also commonly burnt over slices of other substances such are ginger, garlic or salt, for different therapeutic benefit.

  
  

• "Scarring Moxibustion"is when a blister is let to develop (after intentionally allowing a much more intense heat). It results in a significant increase in white blood cells locally or more widely, but isn't performed in Europe due to practitioners' professional liability insurances not covering this practice, as poor post-treatment care by the patient may allow infection at the site of the blister.

Indirect Moxibustion:

• Hovering a cigar shaped stick of packed Moxa floss over specific acupuncture points, allowing a gentle but lasting heat (typically 5 - 15 mins).

  
  

• Moxa boxes, filled with loose Moxa floss. the floss is lit up with the tip of an incense stick (to avoid it burning too quickly), and the smouldering of this much larger surface of Moxa enable the therapeutic effect to benefit larger areas of the body (e.g lower back or lower abomen). These boxes are very commonly used for neck pain, low back pain or period pain. The smaller sizes ( 3-5 cm in diameter) may be used to cover small enough area (although larger than the Moxa sticks), a couple of acupuncture points at a time for example.

  
  

• "Smokeless" Moxa (charcoaled Moxa, sometimes mixed with other herbs), is usually available in small cones or stick shape. Although not completely smokeless (since there still is combustion) there is significantly less smoke generation than with regular moxibustion, but inevitably lacks the therapeutic benefits that the volatile oils otherwise provide.

There are many other techniques and tools to choose from. This therapy has a long history, potentially dating back thousands of years before acupuncture, and has consequently been widely utilized in various forms. Among other modern inventions are, for example, electrically heated cushions filled with Moxa... not traditional but a real treat nevertheless!