What is Moxa?
Moxibustion, referred to as moxa, uses the herb mugwort to tonify the 'yang' energy of the body. Yang energy governs movement and warmth in the body.
What Does Moxa Treat?
Moxa can be used to treat many different conditions, ranging from pain and arthritis, to digestive and bowel complaints, to cold sensations in the body.
How is Moxa Used?
The moxa stick (pictured left) is the most common form in which moxa is used to promote healing. In this form, the dried mugwort is rolled tightly and wrapped in paper forming a cigar-like stick. The moxa stick can be held in one place, rotated in circles, or 'pecked' over an acupuncture point. The moxa stick does not come into contact with the body and the practitioner mantains a comfortable level of heat for the patient.
Other forms of moxa include direct moxa (pictured upper right) and needle head moxa (pictured lower right). With direct moxa, small cones of the herb are placed onto the skin and lit with an incense stick, allowing the effects of the herb to directly penetrate into the body. They are removed from the skin after several seconds. With needle head moxa, mugwort is placed on the end of a needle and lit, allowing the benefits of the herb to pass through the acupoint.
