Often Used To Help

Moxibustion is a heat therapy that involves burning herbs (mugwort)  and applying the resulting heat to specific points on the body. Moxibustion is typically administered in conjunction with acupuncture.

According to Chinese medicine practitioners, the heat generated during moxibustion helps increase the flow of vital energy (also known as “qi” or “chi”) throughout the body via certain pathways (known as “meridians”). In traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating the flow of chi is considered essential to achieving health and wellness. Physical and mental health problems are thought to develop in part as a result of imbalances in the flow of chi.

There are two main types of moxibustion: indirect and direct. The technique most commonly used today is indirect moxibustion which involves burning moxa (a substance created from dried leaves of the herb mugwort or wormwood) on top of the acupuncture needle. In some cases, however, practitioners may set the burning moxa over a layer of ginger, garlic, or salt placed on the patient’s skin, as well as hold the burning moxa above the skin for several minutes. For direct moxibustion, the burning moxa is placed directly on the skin. Extreme caution must be used with this technique to avoid pain and scarring.

For more information, contact Vineyard Complementary Medicine .