Indirect Moxibustion
Although not well known in the west, the art of moxibustion plays an important role in traditional medicine of Japan. Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which the dried herb “mugwort” (artemisia vulgaris) is burned near the surface of the skin in order to stimulate specific acupuncture points and to trigger natural healing responses in the body. The use of moxibustion is at least as old as acupuncture, with records of the practice dating back many centuries B.C. In China and Japan, the word (or characters) for acupuncture actually includes the word for moxibustion, thus illustrating how closely linked are these two modalities. According to the classical texts, moxibustion and acupuncture are complimentary, each one enhancing the effects of the other.
The mugwort plant grows wild here in the Northwest and is often seen as an ornamental plant in front yards. The herb is considered “Yang” in Chinese medicine and as such, it is both warming and moving. When the dried leaves are ground and sifted, a fine wool is produced (commonly referred to as “moxa”) which can easily be rolled into various shapes for burning. The most common shapes are cones and sticks.
In Japan, scientists have studied moxibustion under laboratory conditions and have found that the infrared radiation from burning moxibustion is almost exactly the same wavelength as the infrared radiation in the human body. And, the warming qualities of the dried mugwort itself enhances the warming effects of the combustion. The result is that the heat from moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body, giving both an immediate warming effect and a continuing warming effect, which lasts for several days after the treatment.
From a western medical perspective, we know that when we sustain a significant burn, all the biological systems of the body join together in a defensive response to protect the body from further damage and begin production of new blood and tissues. Over two thousand years ago, the physician sages of China discovered that many of these profound healing reactions will occur even if the body sustains only a very small burn.
The very idea of burning the skin to produce a beneficial effect seems primitive and outrageous to most people in the West. But let’s put the concept into perspective. First, we are talking about a very mild burn, about as severe as a sunburn. Second, we are talking about very small areas of the skin, no larger than 2 – 4 millimeters in diameter. Japanese scientists have found that a small and mild burn from moxibustion, at specific points, can dramatically boost the body’s immunity and trigger a cascade of profound healing effects. These effects include a significant increase in white blood cell production, an increase in platelet count, a reduction in blood coagulation time, increased activity of the adrenal glands and many other biochemical reactions that assist the body in healing.
In traditional Asian medicine, moxibustion is indicated for any condition of pain, low energy or obstruction, where coldness or stagnation is a primary causative factor. Likewise, moxibustion is used for cases of blood deficiency or blood stagnation, since it is considered to move blood and stimulate blood production.
As an acupuncturist in Portland, I have found that moxibustion lifts the spirits and is very effective for many types of mild depression or fatigue. And for stiff or painful muscles and joints, acupuncture combined with moxibustion is one of the best treatments available.
Moxibustion is a powerful form of therapy which, when applied correctly, can stimulate the body’s own healing potential. If you are interested in the ancient medicine of Asia, you may want to receive a treatment in order to experience for yourself the wonderful healing effects of moxibustion. Moxibustion is also an effective and inexpensive home therapy, which is easy to learn from any licensed acupuncturist who has studied Japanese moxibustion therapy.
Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:
Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805
