08.09.08
What is Moxibustion: The History of the Natural Healing Technique
Resource:
How to Use Cupping Therapy and Moxibustion for Natural Healing of Diseases
In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is often used together with moxibustion, and these two are called “Zhen Jiu†in Chinese language. Here “Zhen†means needles and refers to acupuncture, while “Jiu†means moxibustion. Similar to acupuncture, moxibustion is used for both prevention and disease healing. It works through burning moxa or mugwort, a kind of herb, to warm the meridians or acupuncture points. In this way, it can help improve the flow of the blood and qi, and achieve better healing effects.
The history of moxibustion started thousands of years ago in China. Moxibustion originated with the usage of fire by human beings. During ancient time, while warming themselves around the fire, people accidentally found relief from cold and pain. Later on, they started using hot stones, or hot sand wrapped in animal skins or plant barks, to press on certain local body areas to treat diseases. Through such practice, ancient people gradually improved the healing method. They learned to use ignited branches or hay to warm the sick part of the body. From then on, the original moxibustion was formed.
After some time, people found moxa leaves to be the best materials. These herbal leaves can be easily ignited and produce mild heat. In addition, the fragrance of the herb itself can help enhance the effect of removing obstructions or stagnations in the blood and qi. This is how the current moxibustion technique was established.
The major ingredient used for moxibustion is Artemisia vulgaris. According to the ancient Chinese herbal classic A New Edition of Materia Medica, “The moxa leaves are bitter and acrid. They can produce warmth when they are used in small amount, and strong heat when used in large amount. They are of pure yang nature, and have the ability to restore the essential yang from collapse. They can open the twelve regular meridians, travel through the three yin meridians to regulate qi and blood, expel cold and dampness, warm the uterus, stop bleeding, warm the spleen and stomach to remove stagnation, regulate menstruation, and ease the fetus…. When ignited, they can go through all the meridians and eliminate hundreds of diseases.â€
With these unique features, moxa leaves have been used as an ideal material in moxibustion treatment. The mild heat generated by burning moxa leaves can also penetrate deeply into the muscles. Moxibustion can be used for a variety of diseases, including asthma, common cold and flu, pulmonary tuberculosis, arthritis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other diseases of the cold type.
