Moxibustion Therapy
Moxibustion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or
certain locations of the human body. The material used is mainly "moxa-wool"
in the form of a cone or stick. For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture
have been combined in clinical practice, thus they are usually termed
together in Asia.
•
Functions of Moxibustion
1. It is easy to understand that moxibusion functions to warm up the
meridians and promote blood circulation. Therefore, it is mostly used in
clinic to treat diseases caused by cold-dampness and persistent diseases
caused by pathogenic cold penetrating into he deep muscles.
2. Another function of moxibusion is to induce Qi and Blood to flow upward
or downward.
3. To strengthen YANG from collapse
4. To prevent diseases and keep healthy
• Material for Moxibusion
Moxa wool, moxa cones, moxa sticks, matches and a tray should be ready
before hand.
1. Making of moxa cones:
Place a small amount of moxa wool on a boad, knead and shape it into a cone
with the thumb,index and middle fingers in three sizes. The smallest is as
big as a grain of wheat: the medium size is about half a date stone, and the
largest is the size of the upper part of the thumb. The two smaller cones
are suitable for direct Moxibustion, while the largest for indirect
moxibustion.
2. Making of moxa stick:
It is much more convenient to use moxa sticks than moxa cones.
Simply roll moxa wool(other herbal medicine may be mixed in)into the shape
of a cigar, using paper made of mulberry bark and smokeless moxa stick is
more convenient.
• CONTRAINDICATIONS
1. Excess syndrome, and heat syndrome ( including high fever caused by
common cold or heat due to yin deficiency ) are not allowed to be treated by
moxibustion. It is stated in Treaise on Febrile Diseases that "a patient
with feeble and rapid pulse should not be treated by moxibustion. Although
the heat of moxibsution is work, strong internal impact may produce,"
indicating that improper moxibustion may bring bad results.
2. Scarring moxibustion should not be applied to the face and head, and the
area in the vicinity of the large blood vessels. According to the recordings
of ancient literature, there are certain points which are advisable to
acupuncture but not suitable for moxibustion, because most of them are close
to the vital organs or arteries.
3. The abdominal region and lumbosacral region of the pregnant women are not
allowed to use moxibustion.
• Management after Moxibustion
After moxibustion, different degrees of burns may remain in the local
region, or there is only a slight red sign of burning which will disappear
very soon. But sometimes, a few blisters result on the skin surface, Take
care not to let small blisters break. They can be healed by themselves.
Large blisters should be punctured and drained. If pus is formed, the
blister should be dressed to prevent further infection
