Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that involves burning dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) on or near the skin at acupuncture points. The smoldering herb generates penetrating heat that warms meridians, dispels cold, and promotes the flow of qi and blood. Often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion is considered essential for treating cold and deficient conditions according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. The practice has been used for thousands of years and remains a cornerstone of Asian medicine.

Moxibustion can be administered in several ways: indirect (moxa stick held near the skin), direct (small cone of moxa placed on the skin), or on top of acupuncture needles. The warming sensation is pleasant and therapeutic, quite different from burning. The heat penetrates deeply into tissues and meridians, creating effects that acupuncture needles alone cannot achieve. Mugwort contains compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and circulatory benefits beyond simple heat therapy.

Moxibustion is particularly effective for conditions characterized by cold, stagnation, or deficiency: chronic pain aggravated by cold, digestive weakness, immune deficiency, certain types of infertility, and breech presentation in pregnancy (one of the few conventional medical applications with strong research support). The therapy is warming, energizing, and deeply comforting. For those receiving acupuncture or interested in traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion offers powerful therapeutic effects that complement needle therapy.