Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy used extensively in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.
Moxibustion uses the leaf of the mugwort plant Artemisia vulgaris, called ai ye in Chinese. The leaf is processed into a “wool” and referred to as moxa.
There are several traditional ways of applying moxibustion including direct, indirect, warming needle, and tiger warmers or moxa boxes. More recent inventions include liquid moxa, TDP lamps and moxa devices.
At Yarmouth Acupuncture we may give you “moxa homework” to use at home. It is very simple and effective if you just follow a few simple steps.
We will provide you with the stick-on moxa. You will need a lighter and a fireproof container.
Light the moxa first and let the flame go out so it is smoldering, similar to incense or a cigarette.
Place the moxa on the point. Your acupuncturist will help you figure out which point to place the moxa for whatever health issue you’re working on.
As the moxa burns it releases a pleasant woodsy smell. If the light smoke bothers you then remove the moxa. If the heat starts to feel prickly or uncomfortable on your skin then remove the moxa.
When the moxa has burned down to the insulated pad, or the heat was uncomfortable, simply remove the moxa cone and place in the fireproof container.
