Moxibustion is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body.
Moxibustion or moxa is placed either directly on the skin or held just above it, over specific acupuncture points or meridians. Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A.vlugaris). The herb is lit and as it smoulders slowly, a therapeutic heat enters the skin and affects the flow of ‘Qi’ (energy) and blood in the area being treated.
In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have cold or stagnant conditions. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to a smoother flow of blood and Qi.
WHAT CAN BE TREATED?
Moxibustion can help with the following problems:
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Backache
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Headaches/migraines
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Muscle stiffness (including sciatica)
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Digestive problems (including constipation)
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Fertility
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Decreased risk of breech birth
