Top 5 uses of Moxibustion

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a kind of external treatment; it is based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it usually bakes acupoints with burning moxa wool. 

Moxibustion can dredge meridians and regulate qi-blood and has been used to prevent and cure diseases for more than 2500 years. 

Zuo zhuan of the pre-Qin dynasty in China, which recorded a disease discussion occurred in 581 B.C., is considered to be the earliest literature of moxibustion.

It is a form of therapy that entails the burning of mugwort leaves. This is a small, spongy herb that is believed to enhance healing with acupuncture. As such, the leaves are burnt close to the skin’s surface using a stick to apply heat.‌

The practice is derived from Chinese medicine. Its purpose is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi or energy, and maintain good health. ‌

According to Chinese medicine, an increase in the circulation of Qi can help your body deal with a broad range of issues, including digestive problems and chronic pain.

Traditional Moxibustion theory

Ling Shu, Guan Neng says that where needle does not work, moxibustion does. TCM theory holds that moxibustion has a dual effect of tonification and purgation. 

Different from needles and drugs, characteristics of moxibustion in materials and using fire determine that its efficacy is inclined to warming and nourishing. 

So, It is often applied in deficiency-cold syndrome, though some excess-heat syndrome can also use it. 

The roles of moxibustion can be broadly grouped into warm nourishing, warm dredging, and warm melting. 

Warm nourishing refers to the benefits of warming Yang, tonifying qi, nurturing blood, and relieving depletion; warm dredging refers to the functions of activating blood, dissolving stasis, promoting qi, dredging channels, and relieving pain; warm melting refers to the roles of reducing phlegm, eliminating stagnation, removing wind, dispelling dampness, drawing out poison, and purging heat. 

Some people believe that warm dredging is the nature of moxibustion and is the key role of moxibustion effects. 

The functions of moxibustion, expelling cold, promoting the circulation in meridians and collaterals, clearing away heat, detoxification, and so forth, are dependant on the efficacy of moxibustion for circulating qi and blood flow.

Moxibustion Process

Your moxibustion therapist can apply the technique directly or indirectly. 

When used directly, the moxa cone rests on the site of treatment on your body. 

The practitioner ignites one end of the cone and leaves it to burn slowly. 

Once your skin starts to turn red and you begin to feel the heat, the therapist removes the cone.‌

In other cases, the practitioner places the moxa on the acupuncture needle and ignites it. 

The moxa will burn on the needle until it’s extinguished. 

The heat is transferred to the acupuncture point through the needle.‌

Indirect It is more common and also a safe option. 

In this approach, the burning moxa doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin. 

Instead, the practitioner holds it about an inch away from your body. 

Once the skin becomes warm and red, they will remove the moxa from near your skin.‌

Another indirect use of moxa entails using an insulating layer of salt or garlic. 

The therapist places one of these items between the cone and your skin. 

Alternatively, they can also fill moxa boxes with the ingredient, ignite it, and put it on the body.

Uses of Moxibustion

Alternative health practitioners say that the heat generated through moxibustion can help to increase the flow of energy throughout the body. 

This happens through some pathways known as meridians.

Chinese traditional medicine considers the stimulation of energy essential to help your body achieve health and wellness.

It is founded on the belief that blockages in the flow of energy lead to mental and physical health problems. 

Because of this, it’s used to treat back pain, arthritis, headaches, migraines, muscle stiffness, ulcers, fatigue, infertility, cancer, digestive problems, etc.

Benefits of Moxibustion

Several studies have been conducted in trying to establish how it therapy benefits your health. 

They also strive to find out the safety and effectiveness of the procedure in treating various health conditions. 

One study has found it to be excellent therapy for chronic kidney disease. 

Researchers found it to have a great effect on reducing serum creatinine, which is responsible for poor kidney function in high doses.‌

A 2005 study could not establish that moxibustion is effective in helping the condition. They concluded that further research is necessary before recommending moxibustion to women looking for a solution to breech birth. However, the report showed that moxibustion can significantly reduce the need for medical procedures used to correct the presentation. ‌

For the best outcome, it’s recommended to have the procedure carried out by professionals. Some hospitals have midwives and obstetricians trained in moxibustion and acupuncture. Acupuncture practitioners must also be licensed in this case.

The moxibustion has a dual effect of tonification and purgation in TCM theories, which are based on two aspects: the actions of the meridian system and the roles of moxa and fire. 

Modern research works of the moxibustion mechanism mainly relate to the thermal effects, radiation effects, and pharmacological actions of moxa and its combustion products. 

Experimental results showed that moxibustion thermal stimulation affects both shallow and deep tissues of the skin, and the warm-heat effects of moxibustion have a close relation to the warm receptors or/and the polymodal receptor.

Lots of ingredients had been identified from mugwort leaves and moxa smoke, which have a variety of biological activities; they were considered to participate in the comprehensive effects of moxibustion. 

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