Synonyms
Moxa therapy; short word for moxibustion= moxen Japanese mogusa (name for mugwort) lat. combustio (burning) results in moxibustion
Introduction
Like acupuncture, moxibustion is a method from traditional Chinese medicine. In moxibustion, however, the acupuncture points are not stimulated with acupuncture needles but with intense heat.
Definition
Moxibustion refers to the heating of certain acupuncture points by burning moxa. These are the dried leaves of the mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). After “harvesting” the leaves are dried, cleaned and processed into a powdery, cotton wool-like tissue.
Mugwort has long been a medicinal and spice plant, not only in the eastern world. Moxibustion is probably older than acupuncture. In the Stone Age, a pain-relieving effect was already achieved at pain points by applying heated herbs.
In Europe, moxibustion became known around the second half of the 17th century. This treatment method is also based on the idea of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) that all energy (Qi) of the body flows in energy channels, the so-called meridians. If an imbalance or disharmony occurs due to external or internal factors such as cold, strain, stress, etc., the body becomes ill. Moxibustion is intended to restore the balance and ensure that the energy flows again through the targeted heat treatment of certain points on these meridians.
The explanation in the western world is different. It is assumed that the local heat stimulates the skin nerves, thus stimulating the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands to produce hormones. The penetrating heat promotes local blood circulation in the tissue, stimulates metabolism and organ functions and strengthens the immune system.
Moxibustion is used for local or general complaints associated with a feeling of cold. The principle of “heat against cold” has proven to be very effective here. In the system of TCM, this is understood to mean weak and empty states such as reduced blood circulation, susceptibility to colds, lack of energy and chronic illnesses.
The main areas of application of moxa therapy are
- Chronic diseases
- Pain (head, shoulder, spine), blunt injuries, nerve pain, phantom pain
- Exhaustion (Burnout Syndrome)
- Respiratory diseases, bronchitis, colds, asthma
- Bladder and kidney diseases
- Gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- Psychosomatic complaints, such as depression, sleep disorders
- Ovarian and uterine inflammation
- Ear and sinus diseases
Moxibustion is not to be used in the area of the face, head, near mucous membranes, in case of fever, acute inflammation or during menstruation (menstruation). Undesirable side effects can be skin burns with permanent scars. Some patients also find the smoke unpleasant and reminiscent of passive smoking in a pub.
In ancient China, and even today in some cases, however, burns and blisters are definitely intentional. Here direct moxibustion was and still is used. Here a cone of moxa herb is placed directly on the skin above the acupuncture point and inflamed.
Nowadays and in the western world the principle of indirect moxibustion is used. A slice of ginger (garlic or salt) is placed between the skin and the cone to protect the skin. If the patient feels a heating of the point, the disc with the moxa cone is pushed to the next acupuncture point.
This must be done very carefully, as there is a risk that the cone will fall off the ginger disc. Once you have treated all points, you start at the first point again. Each point is stimulated 6 to 8 times until a slight reddening of the skin occurs.
Besides the moxa cone there is also the moxa cigar. It consists of thin sticks of rolled moxa herb and is lit at the tip. The system is the same.
The cigar is held without skin contact about 0.5cm above the acupuncture point and waited until the patient feels it is hot. Then it is removed a few centimeters upwards and shortly after that it is brought up again. This procedure is repeated 6-8 times until the skin is reddened.
With so-called moxa needles, acupuncture can be intensified by burning. Special steel needles with devices for attaching moxa direct the heat in a concentrated way to the therapy points. Last but not least there are the moxa patches.On their sticky side they contain medicinal herbs that generate heat.
In general, moxibustion is also suitable for self-treatment. However, the patient must receive precise information and instructions from the doctor. The dots can be applied with a waterproof felt-tip pen and, if necessary, the patient can draw them after washing.
The choice of points depends on the symptoms, illness and the location of the energy imbalance. This method is also particularly suitable for patients with needle anxiety.
