Warming therapy that strengthens the body's vital energy from within.
Moxibustion is the practice of using Moxa, primarily dried mugwort, to treat deficiencies of the body. These deficiencies lead to the development of a variety of conditions that can go unchecked and result in excesses elsewhere.
Moxa can also be used directly on top of certain herbs that are placed on the body above selected Acupuncture points to address specific conditions. The Moxa is pressed and shaped into cones and placed on top of the herb. Then it is lit, usually with a stick of incense, until it begins to smolder. The lit Moxa will smolder for several minutes until it burns out. During that time the practitioner may move the herb with the Moxa on it to several locations or simply leave it there until your treatment is over.
The use of Moxa is especially effective for the treatment of chronic problems and conditions, such as weaknesses and deficient conditions often associated with elder people. When a patient is considered too weak for Acupuncture, because needling might move Qi too quickly or aggressively for a weakened person, Moxibustion is said to help add new energy to the person's body allowing treatment of both excess and deficient conditions. The warming effects of Moxa help combat cold and dampness in the body that result from some of these deficient conditions.