Mugwort is a common aromatic plant found throughout Europe and Asia that has some culinary uses along with medicinal ones. The moxa used in moxibustion comes from the Chinese mugwort specifically.
Thanks to its amazing healing properties, the use of moxibustion spread quickly to other parts of the East including Japan, Tibet, Korea and Vietnam where it also became part of their herbal medicinal practices.
What Is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is still used today and is seen in many holistic and homeopathic treatments of a variety of conditions. It is a form of heat therapy that is often used alongside acupuncture. It involves the same acupoints as well as Qi energy meridians that appear in many forms of Chinese medicine. Historically, it was likely developed at the same time as the very ancient practice of acupuncture.
Moxibustion Techniques and Methods
Chinese mugwort is aged and dried until it looks like a type of fluff - this is the moxa. The fluff can be made into a cigar-shaped stick and burned or the moxa fluff may also be bundled and burned as is without further processing. Today there are even smokeless varieties of moxa for those that suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions.
If the burning and smoldering moxa doesn't contact the patient's skin then the practice is known as indirect moxibustion. Some indirect techniques call for the moxa to be applied to acupuncture needles before their insertion. The moxa sticks may also be burned near the acupoints as the needles are inserted, infusing the needles with the substance. The most common moxibustion technique used today involves burning moxa sticks very near to the skin at the acupoints. The burning moxa is held in place until the skin starts to turn red.
There are also some moxibustion techniques where the moxa is actually applied to a patient's skin and then burned. When the moxa is applied to the skin in this way, it is known as direct moxibustion and can be either scarring or non-scarring.
In scarring moxibustion the moxa is burned completely away and this often results in the skin blistering. The blisters scar, which is how this uncommon method received its name. In non-scarring moxibustion the burning moxa is removed before it can burn the skin and blister. These two techniques can both be painful, so most practitioners opt for one or more of the indirect methods instead. The exact mode of moxibustion depends largely upon the condition being treated.
Moxibustion and Healing
Moxibustion has amazing warming effects. The sensation experienced is often described as penetrating, radiating warmth. These warming properties improve circulation and help to relieve pain as well as create a feeling of well-being throughout the body. Improved circulation promotes blood flow as well as flow of mystical Qi energy. Moxa is sometimes combined with other herbs that have similar heating properties like ginger and garlic to further enhance the effects.
Encouraging good blood circulation is a major factor in the recovery from both injury and illness. Injuries that moxibustion can aid with include everything from surgical cuts to torn muscles. It speeds the healing process and repairs damage. Illnesses treated by moxibustion include a variety of infections and other "stagnant" conditions. Colds and their associated symptoms are also relieved by this warmth, and so is arthritis pain.
The concept of Qi energy is one of the fundamental principles in Chinese medicine. It is believed that Qi blockages and uneven Qi flow lead to a variety of ailments. Poor Qi flow just like poor blood flow can slow down the healing process. Problems with Qi are reduced with moxa on acupoints or on the body's major meridians. It breaks up these blockages which lead to aches, pains, chronic conditions and even emotional and digestive problems. A regular moxibustion regimen may also help ward off sickness and keep you feeling your best even if you aren't recovering from a sickness or injury.
Robert Vena
NJ Acupuncturist
Acupuncture-in-NJ.com
No comments:
Post a Comment