Moxibustion, also known as moxa treatment, is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has various effects and functions, such as warming the middle and dispelling cold, dredging the meridians, detoxifying and beautifying, and preventing diseases. It can be used to treat symptoms such as cold invasion, blood stasis, etc. This article introduces the principle, method, time and precautions of moxibustion, aiming to help readers understand the basic knowledge and correct use of moxa treatment.
The effects and functions of moxa treatment
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has various effects and functions, such as warming the middle and dispelling cold, dredging the meridians, detoxifying and beautifying, and preventing diseases. It can be used to treat symptoms such as cold invasion, blood stasis, etc.
1. Warming the middle and dispelling cold
Moxibustion has the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold. Moxa sticks are warm and hot, and using moxibustion can dredge the body’s meridians, accumulate yang qi, and thus prevent the invasion of cold in winter, and achieve the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold.
2. Dredging the meridians
Moxibustion has the effect of dredging the meridians. Using moxibustion can promote the circulation of qi and blood, dredge the body’s channels, not only harmonize the spleen and stomach and the functions of the five internal organs, but also activate blood and remove stasis, and achieve the effect of dredging the meridians.
3. Detoxifying and beautifying
Moxibustion has the effect of detoxifying and beautifying. Through moxibustion, the blood circulation of the body can be accelerated, and the toxins in the body can be discharged through sweat, improve the body’s endocrine, and make the skin smooth, thus achieving the effect of detoxifying and beautifying.
4. Preventing diseases
Moxibustion has the effect of preventing diseases. Moxibustion can promote the body’s metabolism and blood circulation, enhance the body’s immunity, and thus achieve the effect of preventing diseases.
5. Promoting blood circulation
Moxibustion can dilate capillaries, increase blood flow, and thus promote the body’s blood circulation, achieving the effect of relieving pain and reducing swelling.
6. Enhancing immunity
Moxibustion can stimulate the meridians and qi and blood, enhance the body’s immunity, and strengthen the body’s resistance.
7. Relieving fatigue
Moxibustion can relieve the body’s fatigue, alleviate muscle soreness, stiffness and other discomforts.
8. Regulating endocrine
Moxibustion can stimulate acupoints, regulate the endocrine system, promote metabolism, and improve the body’s metabolic function.
9. Improving sleep
Moxibustion can promote the body’s blood circulation, relieve the body’s fatigue, and thus improve sleep quality, achieving the effect of health preservation.
It should be noted that when doing moxibustion, one should choose high-quality mugwort, and avoid using inferior mugwort to cause harm to the body. At the same time, the time and frequency of moxibustion should also be adjusted according to one’s own physical condition.
How to do moxa treatment
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that can be used to improve health and treat some diseases. Here are the basic steps of moxibustion:
Step 1: Prepare mugwort leaves
Soak the dry mugwort leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until they become soft. Take out the mugwort leaves and air-dry or wipe off the excess water.
Step 2: Prepare mugwort wool
Arrange the mugwort leaves in order, and cut off their stems. Then put the mugwort leaves together, gently pinch them into a bunch of mugwort wool, and tie them with a thread.
Step 3: Ignite the mugwort wool
Ignite the mugwort wool and blow it out, letting it smoke.
Step 4: Do moxibustion
Place the mugwort wool on the part that needs moxibustion, and fix it with plastic wrap or gauze. Then ignite the mugwort wool and let it burn slowly. Be careful not to let the mugwort wool touch the skin, so as not to burn it.
Step 5: End moxibustion
When the mugwort wool is burned out, extinguish and discard it. Then wash the moxibustion part with warm water, dry it and keep it warm.
Precautions:
- When doing moxibustion, one should avoid doing it after meals, when exhausted or sick.
- Pregnant women and women during menstruation should not do moxibustion, so as not to cause negative effects on the body.
- The mugwort wool will emit thick smoke after being ignited, so the room should be kept ventilated.
- During the moxibustion process, one should closely observe the burning situation of the mugwort wool, to avoid fire and other dangers.
The best time for moxa treatment
Morning: Morning is a good time for moxibustion, because at this time the yang qi in the body rises, and the body’s energy gradually increases. Morning moxibustion can help activate the meridians, promote blood circulation, enhance physical strength, and benefit the improvement of immunity and overall health.
Evening: Evening moxibustion can help relax the body and help sleep. For those who have insomnia problems or have difficulty falling asleep at night, evening moxibustion may help improve sleep quality.
Specific time: According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, different acupoints have the best stimulation time at different time periods. Therefore, it is best to choose specific acupoints and time under the guidance of a professional moxibustion therapist.
The four contraindications of moxa treatment
There is no such thing as the five contraindications of moxibustion in clinical practice. The contraindications of moxibustion mainly include hunger, fatigue, allergy, burn, etc., and one should seek medical treatment in time.
1. Hunger
The food digestion is faster when doing moxibustion, and one should not do moxibustion on an empty stomach, so as not to damage the spleen and stomach, and cause symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weakness, etc.
2. Fatigue
Long-term excessive fatigue may cause the body to be exhausted, accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, etc., which is not conducive to health. One should not do moxibustion immediately after excessive fatigue, so as not to produce adverse reactions, such as dizziness, headache, etc.
3. Allergy
People who are allergic to mugwort may have allergic reactions when using it, such as rash, itching, etc., which may damage health. One can follow the doctor’s advice and take antihistamines such as cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, loratadine tablets, etc., and also use cold towels to relieve the symptoms.
4. Burn
Improper operation when doing moxibustion may cause burns, resulting in skin ulcers, pain, etc. One can use iodine to disinfect, and use sterile gauze to bandage. If there is secondary bacterial infection, one can follow the doctor’s advice and apply fusidic acid cream, erythromycin ointment, etc.
The bottom line
Moxibustion, also known as moxa treatment, is a simple, safe and effective health care method that can regulate the body’s qi, blood, endocrine, immunity, etc., and improve the health condition of the body. When doing moxibustion, one should choose high-quality mugwort, avoid hunger, fatigue, allergy and other contraindications, and adjust the time and frequency of moxa treatment according to one’s own physical condition and acupoints, in order to achieve the best results.
