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

As a practitioner of Japanese acupuncture in Portland, I see that acupuncture is well known to be an effective treatment for a wide range of physical problems. But most people don’t realize that acupuncture also has a long history in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. For depression, Bi-polar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), acupuncture combined with nutritional supplements can be very effective, either as an alternative to drug treatment or as a supporting therapy.

The ancient physicians of China and Japan considered depression to be a form of Qi deficiency or Qi stagnation. The Qi, or Life-energy is either deficient or not flowing evenly throughout the body. The result is a subjective experience of weakness, fatigue, lack of motivation, sadness or even despair. In this ancient system of medicine, the lungs and the organs of digestion are considered the most important organs involved in the generation and distribution of Qi. Therefore, in treating depression, we focus attention on the Qi meridians associated with these two organ systems.

It’s interesting to compare this ancient perspective with western science which views depression as a deficiency or imbalance in brain chemistry…with particular emphasis on the neuro-transmitter serotonin. The importance of serotonin is underscored by the fact that almost every anti-depression drug is designed to increase serotonin levels in the brain. But if we ask how serotonin is produced in the body, we get a surprising answer…one which points back to the ancient physicians of China. Researchers have found that as much as 80% of our serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, as a by-product of digestion.

In Japanese style acupuncture, we use specific points and acupuncture techniques that lift the spirits and re-establish a normal flow of Qi in the body. In addition, there are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes that can help to increase energy and elevate the mood. If you suffer from mild to moderate depression, here are a few suggestions that can make a significant difference within a few weeks.

1.    Take a concentrated fish oil supplement which provides at least 5 to 1 ratio of  Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) to Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA). DHA is a major building block of brain tissue and has a proven track record as a safe and effective treatment for depression and ADHD. In Great Britain and Europe, many doctors are using DHA supplementation to replace conventional drug therapy for mild to moderate depression.

2.    Aerobic exercise for 20 minutes, at least 5 days per week, is extremely valuable to help balance blood chemistry and remove toxins. If regular exercise is not part of your daily routine, it is important to begin carefully and build up to 20 minutes gradually over 2 or 3 months. Discuss exercise with your health care professional in order to design a program that is best suited to your condition.

3.    Certain prescription and OTC drugs can contribute to depression. If you are taking a pharmaceutical drug, find out if depression is one of the possible side effects and discuss with your doctor.

4.    Likewise, recreational drugs are major causes of depression for many people. Marijuana, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, narcotics, cocaine, amphetamines and alcohol, can all disrupt normal brain chemistry and deplete serotonin levels.

5.    A diet for depression has to be specifically designed to fit each individual. But in general, it would be helpful to eat more fruit and vegetables and reduce sugar, fried foods, junk foods and highly processed foods.

Precautionary Note: Severe clinical depression is a serious disorder. If you believe that you may be severely depressed or have difficulty working and maintaining your daily routine, consult with a medical doctor who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

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