Other Modalities: Moxa

Moxa is an herbaceous perennial, Mugwort (Ai Ye, Artemisia vulgaris or Artemisia argiy), with a strong fragrance that is very common in France. In China the best varieties are found in Hubei. The word is derived from the Portuguese word mechia or the Japanese word mogusa, a variety of mugwort. The term was first used in the West in 1677. Mugwort is hot in nature, acrid and bitter in taste and it can be taken internally as a decoction or used externally, in the form of moxa.

Moxibustion is the most ancient form of therapy in China and repeated references on its use can be found in many ancient texts.

When mugwort is used in Moxibustion it
• Warms and moves Qi and Blood
• Strengthens Kidney Yang
• Expels Wind and disperses Cold
• Cools heat and dispels toxins
• Invigorates Blood and dissolves stagnation

Direct Moxibustion: The moxa is shaped in cones or in the Japanese technique threads or rice grains and placed directly on the skin. To avoid burning the skin we first apply Chinese burn cream to the skin and the cones are removed when about 2/3 have been burned or before the patient starts to feel burning.

Indirect Moxibustion: The moxa does not come in contact with the skin.

• Moxa on sliced garlic or ginger
• Moxa stick or roll or cigar (Ming dynasty). The moxa stick is held over the acupuncture point or area to be treated.
• Warming needle. After inserting the needle, moxa shaped in small balls is placed over the handle.

According to the Ling Shu, chapter 73 (an ancient Chinese medicine text): if a condition does not respond to needling it should be treated with moxa.
With the appropriate presentation, Moxibustion can be helpful in the treatment of abdominal pain, acute and chronic diarrhea, pain syndromes, muscular atrophy, asthma, dysmenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, prolapses and malposition of the fetus.

Contraindications: Febrile disease, headache, hypertension, spastic stroke, malnutrition and dehydration, very weak constitution, loss of blood, profuse sweating, and generalized edema. Avoid using direct moxa on patients with diminished sensation like diabetics.