So-called “moxibustion” is a form of therapy which centers on warming up the body’s acupuncture spots.
During this treatment, acupuncture points are warmed up using incandescent moxa herbs. Moxibustion aims at freeing meridians, the skin surface, and organs from irritating factors (specifically, from “inner” and “outer coldness”). Burning or smoldering artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) leaves on the energy points allows heat to enter deep into the body and stimulates Qi (energy) circulation.
A distinction is made between indirect moxibustion (using a so-called moxa cigar) and direct moxibustion – burning a moxa cone – on a acupuncture needle.
Each of these treatments also takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Effects of moxibustion:
- Bolstering of the yang (esp. in case of Coldness deficiency syndrome)
- Expulsion of “coldness” and “humidity” out of the meridians, the surface, and organs
- Clearing of Qi and blood stagnations by kickstarting Qi and blood circulation
- Stimulation of the immune system
- Enhanced circulation and activated tissue metabolism
- Stimulation of organic functions (viscero-cutaneous reflex above Headsche zones)
- Strengthening of the body and immune defenses
- Relaxation and positive impact on stress-induced organ disorders
Indications
In the following, a couple of examples for disease patterns indicating a moxibustion treatment:
- various back conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis
- internal diseases (asthma bronchiale, diarrhea, irritable colon, gastritis, etc.)
- psychosomatic diseases and stress conditions
- menstrual molimen