Moxibustion is a treatment that uses an herb called Mugwort.

• Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.
• Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means “acupuncture-moxibustion.”
• The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.
• Moxibustion or often referred to as “Moxa” is a special preparation of the Mugwort herb that is refined down to be placed on the end of needle, used indirectly over the body, or directly on the skin.
• Moxibustion may be burned indirectly over the skin, on the handle of a needle, or directly on the skin with different barriers in place between the skin and moxa, such as special ointment, salt or a slice of ginger.
• This technique is used to “warm” & or activate the acupuncture points or areas on the acupuncture channels to increase Qi and blood flow.
• This approach has a relaxing and comforting affect.
• Moxibustion can also be used as an alternative to a needle, thus, is a great way to stimulate points for a needle sensitive person.
• Moxibustion does, however, carry a distinct smell of smoke with a pungent odor that varies in strength Patients with respiratory problems may request that their practitioner use “smokeless moxa sticks” as an alternative.