Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a therapy I often use in my practice. It is mostly applied as a complement to acupuncture treatment although in some circumstances it is best used on its own. It isn’t an appropriate therapy for everyone, but it may be suggested as part of an individualized comprehensive treatment plan when working with a licensed acupuncturist. This blog post aims to provide helpful information for those interested in learning more about this beneficial treatment.
Moxibustion, or moxa as it is often referred to as, is a therapy used in Chinese Medicine involving the stimulation of areas of the body with heat. Processed Artemisia vulgaris, an herb commonly known as mugwort, is burned on or near the skin at specific acupuncture points. There are several moxa burning techniques and your practitioner will explain to you the technique they believe to be the best fit for your health concerns. During moxa treatment, one experiences a comfortable feeling of heat that can deeply penetrate the skin.
Mugwort is used in moxibustion because it is easy to collect and has medicinal properties that have been proven over a long history of clinical use. Over 60 different components have been identified in mugwort, and these ingredients can change depending upon growth location and season (1). Research has shown that burning mugwort increases its active ingredients (1).
An analysis of publications in China up through 2007 found that 364 illnesses and disease are treatable with moxa (2). These include digestive concerns such as IBS and colitis, reproductive health and infertility, women’s health, urinary conditions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue injuries, asthma, immune health, fatigue and fetal malposition (1; 3).
Moxibustion has been commonly used in China to treat and prevent illness and disease for around 2500 years, but the earliest record of moxa application extends even further back to the Yin dynasty (1600-1046 BC) (4). According to Traditional Chinese medical theory, moxibustion warms yang, tonifies qi, expels cold, promotes qi and blood circulation, clears heat, reduces phlegm, and eliminates stagnation. Regarding the biomechanisms of moxa, research has shown that the thermal and radiation effects of treatment can induce the production of active substances that are then circulated to other parts of the body to enhance thermogenesis of organs, energize the metabolism of cells, and generate energy to adjust immune, endocrine, circulatory, and neurological functions (1). This can be translated in its simplest form as improving blood circulation, decreasing inflammation and regulating immune, digestive, endocrine, and neurological functions.
Common areas of research investigating moxa are in the fields of pain management, immunity enhancement, antiaging, digestive conditions, and fetal breech presentation (1). Results have shown that moxa: 1) directly promotes cartilage repair in those with knee osteoarthritis (3); 2) regulates the release of inflammatory cytokines to reduce swelling and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis (3); 3) regulates the composition of gut flora to prohibit inflammatory factor release and balance gastrointestinal function (3); 4) induces an analgesic effect on pain by reducing inflammation (3); and 5) increases fetal activity during a course of treatment and cephalic presentation during delivery when addressing fetal breech position (5). Moxa smoke has also been shown as antiviral and antifungal and, therefore, can be used as an air disinfectant (1). These are only a sampling of specific biomechanisms attributed to moxa, but more research is needed to further investigate its use in alleviating health concerns.
It is important to acknowledge that combustion of objects has the potential of releasing harmful substances in the air which can be a particular concern indoors. Research conducted in Japan showed that few harmful substances are released during the combustion of moxa and that levels fell below maximum indoor environmental standards (6). Even so, I’ve made a habit of using an air purifier in my practice when burning moxa. Yes, moxa smoke can be cleansing in and of itself but it is also important to keep healthy air quality afterwards!
It is best to apply moxa treatment from the perspective of Chinese Medicine. Afterall, moxibustion is an integrated part of Chinese Medicine and healers adapted the use of moxa in medicine over 2500+ years. Following time-tested teachings will likely lead to the most success in its practice.
Those interested in moxa therapy should get evaluated by a licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine. As mentioned earlier, moxa isn’t appropriate for everyone. Moxa does add heat energetically and, just as with any therapy, if inappropriately or improperly applied, could make one feel worse.
Regarding safety, only well-trained, experienced practitioners of Chinese medicine should provide moxa because it involves the application of heat to the skin over an extended period of time (7). Even though moxa is considered safe when practiced by a properly trained professional, allergic reactions and burning are potential adverse effects. The education involved to become a licensed acupuncturist is extensive and includes ample training in moxibustion and its contraindications. Therefore, I recommend working with a licensed acupuncturist if interested in adding moxa therapy to your health and wellness plan.
References
Deng, H. & Shen, X. The mechanism of moxibustion: Ancient theory and modern research. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013, vol. 2013: 379291. Available at: doi: 10.1155/2013/37921
Sun, Z. L. & Xu, X. & Du, S. Z.& Jiang, X. Moxibustion for treating rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2014, vol. 6: 6. P. 621-630. Available at: doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2014.08.002
Xia, Y. & Sun, R. & Li, R. & Ren, L. & Wang, Y. & Fang, J. Research trends of moxibustion therapy for pain treatment over the past decade: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Pain Research. 2022, vol. 15. P. 2465-2479. Available at: doi: 10.2147/JPR.S374564
Zhang, X. & Tan, R. & Lam, W. C. & Cheng, C. W. & Yao, L. & Wang, X. Q. & Li, S. Y. & Aixinjueluo, Q. Y. & Yang, K. H. & Shang, T. X. Lyu, A. P. & Bian, Z. X. Prisma extension for moxibustion 2020: recommendations, explanation, and elaboration. Systematic Reviews. 2020, vol. 9: 247. Available at: doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01502-7
Cardini, F. & Weixin, H. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 1998, vol. 280: 18. P. 1580-1584. Available at: doi: 10.1001/jama.280.18.1580
Matsumoto, T. & Katai, S. & Namiki, T. Safety of smoke generated by Japanese moxa upon combustion. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2016, vol. 8: 4. P. 414-422. Available at: doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2016.03.005
Kim, S. Y. & Chae, Y. & Lee, S. M. & Lee, H. & Park, H. J. The effectiveness of moxibustion: An overview during 10 years. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011, vol. 2011: 306515. Available at: doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep163
