Moxabustion - what, why, How?

So if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen I have just had an article published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine. This article is a literary review, collating research from the last 15 years, to see what explanation can be given as to how moxa has it’s therapeutic effects.

This article is heavy on Chinese medicine theory and western biochemistry to explain how moxa has its therapeutic effects. As it’s aimed towards practitioners, there is little on what conditions moxa is used for, why we would use it and how we would use it.

So what is moxa and moxabustion?

Moxa is a herb which we can burn on or above the skin to warm acupuncture points. The herb is Chinese Mugwort that has been dehydrated, crushed and sieved. Whats left is what acupuncturists use, Moxa. Moxabustion is just the name given to the therapy of using Moxa to positively influence healing.

Why do we use Moxa?

In Chinese Medicine, we see Moxa as warming, nourishing and moving. And it because of this ability to both move and nourish that it can be used with a huge range of conditions.

Here are some examples of when I most frequently use moxa in clinic:

• Boosting Immunity (prone to infections, coughs and colds)

• Gynaecology and fertility (endometriosis and period pains is almost always a must!)

• Musculoskeletal (painful muscles and arthritis, however this can really vary. It is shown to reduce inflammation)

• Mental Health (patients often find it very relaxing and calming)

• Digestive issues (bloating with loose stools and mild pain)

How does it work?

This is the big question that I really wanted to understand, so badly I wrote a paper on it. If you would like to know more of what I found then please contact me to have a read. But this is the short version:

Moxa works as a heat therapy. Warming the area increases blood flow, metabolism and elasticity in connective tissue. It also has relatively unique infrared radiation waves that allow this heat to travel deeper within the body than other forms of heat such as a hot water bottle. There are also anti inflammatory properties in the smoke given off. All these factors combine to give this amazing herb that can do so much for our bodies. I would be at a loss in my clinic without it. I believe that the results I get are not just from the needles that I put in, but also the Moxa that I use.

How do I use it?

I could use a few different techniques in order to use Moxa.

One would be Stick Moxa. As pictured, this just hovers about the skin warming the area with or without a needle. This is probably what I use most commonly and is often a really enjoyable experience.

You can also burn Moxa directly on the skin. It is rolled into small pieces, (the size can change) and then lit on the skin. When you feel it warm, the Moxa is removed and replaced with another. This may happen 5 or even 7 times.

There is also a Moxa Box. This is used if I want to warm a much larger area, say the whole abdomen or lower back. This is like a super hot water bottle. And if it gets too warm, I simply lift the box off.

As you can probably tell, I’m obsessed! I think it is amazing and if you want to experience it for yourself, come in and see!