TCM : MOXIBUSTION AND ITS MAGICAL EVIDENCES by Nesya Andita

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a style of traditional medicine informed by

modern edicine but builton a foundation more than 2500 years of Chinese medical
practice that includes various form of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, qigong,
and dietary therapy.

Moxibustion is one kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and it is a form of

heat therapy in which dried plant materials called moxa are burned on or very near
the surface on particular points on the body. Moxibustion has been used throughout
Asia for thousand of years. And its originated from China over 2500 years ago.
Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (artemesia
argy or A. vulgaris).

It is important to look at the history of moxibustion. The use of moxibustion

fortherapetic purpose is believe to begin in ancient times, and is believed to have been
sed before acupuncture was discovered (Reid, 1996). Initial methods included laying
close to the fire, using bark filled with hot sand or stones, or even using hot leaves
and stems of plants to create localized warmth and heat (Ping,2000). An image may
be generated of men and women living in damp and cold caves and similarly
dampand cold environments, surviving cold winters and enduring associated cold
induced illnesses.

The Mawangdui silk scrolls are the earliest found writings to mention and
these have been dated to the Zhou Dynasty, particulary the Warring States period
475-221BCE (Ping,2000). Atlthough there is no supporting evidence, it is generally
believed that moxibustion resulted from empirical evidence associated with the
perceived benefits following the warming or cauterisation of the body parts. The
importance of the herbs Artemisia vulgaris is known in the Zhou Dynasty.

Moxibustion was a tradition that developed in cold places, more specifically

in north of China. We can make sense of this as the use of moxibustion would have
lacked relevance in he south of China as it is so much closer to the equator that the
winter would be shorter duration and not as intense compared to the winter further
north. As uses of moxibustion widened so too it is popularity spread in all of the
direction rather than becoming a quaint technique prevalent in just one area.

Moxibustion is one of Traditional Chinese Medicine that have so many

evidences and functions such as:

Warmth the meridians to dispel cold

Moxibustion can warm the meridians to dispel cold. Clinically, it is
applied for all diseases caused by cold obstruction, bood stagnation and
blockages of the meridians, such as cold-damp arthralgia, dysmenorrhea,
amenorrhea, stomachache, epigastric pain and cold herniation.
Supporting Yang to strengthen the original Qi
It has been widely applied to many serious diseases due to insufficiency,
sinking or depletion of yang qi. Among them are enuresis, rectocele,
prolapse of the genitilia, menorrhagia, leukorrhea, and chronic diarrhea.
Remove blood stasis and dissipate pathological accumulation
Moxibustion, with it is heat, has the effect of keeping the actions of Yin
qi and stomach qi in balance, and in turn, it dispels blood stasis and
dissipates pathological accumulation. In the clinical setting, I is
commonly used to treat diseases related to qi and blood stagnation, such
as the early stages of acute mastitis, scrofula and goiter.
Prevent disease and maintain health
Moxibustion on Zusanli (ST36) or other points, has the function of
preventing while nowadays, it is known as healthy moxibustion, which
means maintaining the habit by doing moxibustion even though one
enjoys good health. This method can invigorate healthy qi and strengthen
the immunity to keep one full of vitality and increase longevity.
 One of moxibustions most intriguing applications for women is its potensial
to turn breech babies (those that are upside down term). About 90% of breech babies
must be born via caesarean section, but most women would prefer to avoid this.
Recent studies have shown that moxibustion, when combined with postural technique
and/or acupuncture, can turn babies over so that they are in a less dangerous position
at birth. This maybe because of moxibustions ability to stimulate uterine contractions
that can gently turn breech babies around.

Although moxibustion have so many function, but there are also some
contraindication of this technique, here are some condition that moxibustion should
not be done to the patients:

In principle,patiens with excess heat syndrome or with fevers due to yin

deficiency are contraindicated for moxibustion.
Is prohibited on the face and head, and areas cloe to large blood vessels.
Moxibustion is prohibited on the abdomen and lumbo-sacral areas
during pregnancy.
Precautions should be taken with patients suffering from skin allergies or
ulcers.

There are so many moxibustion type and technique which is common used.

A. Moxibustion with moxa cones

Moxa-cones refer to burn moxa wool that has been shaped into small
cones and placed on various parts of the body. Making moxa-cones is
fairly easy, pure moxa wool is lain on the table where it is shaped and
formed into different size small ones, the size of the grain of wheat,
medium-sized ones, about half the size of a jujube date, and large ones,
about half the size of a jujube date, and large ones, that are about the size
of an olive. A moxa cone, is also known as a Zhuang.
Moxibuustion with moxa-cones is subdivided into direct and indirect
moxibustion.
1. Direct moxibustion
There are blister forming and non-blister forming treatments in the
direct method, and each has its own therapeutic properties for a
variety of conditions.
a. Blistering method (scarring method)
in themore intense method, you burn cones up to 1 cm in
size completely on the skin, causing not only burning and
blistering of the skin, but intense pain as well. After the
moxa completely burned, a sterile cloth and cold water can
be used to clean off the ashes and soothe the skin. This
process is usually repeated three to ten (3-10) times. Once a
blister has formed, it is important that burn salve or cream
is used in conjunction with a light sterile dressing to
protect the area and prevent infection.
This method of moxibustion of specific acupuncture points
can be used to strengthen the bodys immune system, or
wei qi, thus increasing resistence to disease and the overall
health of the body. Ancient Chinese doctors believed that
blistering and scarring were the marks of a successful
treatment. Due to the risk of infection, pain, and permanent
scarring, this method is not widely used.
Indication: Asthma, Developmental disorders,General
weakness of the body, chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
b. Non-blistering (non-scarring direct method)
1) With non-scarring moxibution, moxa cones are burned
directly on the skin, but is removed when the burning
start to cause intense pain, or when the embers come
 too close to the skin this usually leaves a small red
circular mark on the local area, but no burn.
Indications: deficient cold that is mild in natu is mild in
nature

2) Another non-scarring or non -blistering method

Involves rolling moxa into wheat or rice size grains and
burning three to seven(3-7) of them directly on the skin.
Because they are small in size and quick burning, there
is a smller chance that they will blister or scar the skin.
Indications: blood deficiency, dizziness, wartz.
2. Indirect moxibustion method
This method alo known as moxibustion with material insulation,
involves some form of insulation between the core and the skin, so
that there is no direct contact. Various materials are used for
insulation, however, thus most common medicinal substences
used are ginger, salt, garlic, and monkshood cake.
a. Ginger moxibustion (g jiang jiu)
Fresh ginger is cut into slice, each about 2 to 3 cm wide
and 0,2 to 0,3 cm thick.several needle holes are then
punched into the slices that are then placed on the
acupuncture points / areas selected. The moxa cone is then
placed on top of the ginger slice where it is ignited and
burned. When the cones has burned completely, and the
ash is removed, it is replaced with another one and the
procedure is repeated until all the cones required are
finished. Usually, the local skin in the area being treated
will become rosy, which is the desired effect. This method
can warm the spleen and stomach to stop vomiting and
 disperse cold to relieve pain. Thus, it is indicated fr
symptoms related to cold, such as vomiting, abdominal
pain, joint pain, etc.
b. Garlic Moxibustion (Ge Suan Jiu)
Garlic cloves are cut into slices, each about 0.2 to 0.3 cm
thick, then holes are punched into them (Note: garlic-mash
may also be used). The garlic is then placed on the
acupoints/areas selected and moxa cones are ignited and
burned on top of them as described above. This method
effectively eliminates heat and toxins, and it is also useful
for killing parasites, so it is often used to treat scrofula,
tuberculosis, and the early stages of skin ulcers and local
swellings. It can clean away the heat evil or detoxify, and
has a pesticidal function.

c. Salt Moxibustion (Ge Yan Jiu)

This method is also known as Shenque (CV8) moxibustion,
as it is usually done on the umbilicus. First, the umbilicus
is filled with salt to the level of the skin,followed by
placing a large-sized moxa cone on top of the salt (or a
slice of ginger); it is then ignited and burnt. When
consumed, the ash is removed, and it is replaced with
another until all the cones required have been consumed.
Since this method is effect for restoring Yang collapse, it is
used for treating yin/cold disorders, vomiting and diarrhea,
and flaccid type wind-stroke. For example, when treating
flaccid type wind-stroke, continuous moxibustion is
applied until the patient's vital signs are steadythat is,
 his/her pulse can be palpated and the extremities have
become warm
d. Monkshood Cake Moxibustion (Fu Zi Bing Jiu)
A cake of Monkshood is approximately 3cm in diameter
and 0.3cm in thickness, and it is made of Monkshood
powder mixed with alcohol. It is punched with several
holes, and placed on the affected area where moxa cones
are placed on top of it to be ignited and burnt. This method
is useful for warming and strengthening the kidney-Yang
and thus it is adopted to treat impotence, spermatorrhea,
premature ejaculation, infertility and ruptured abscesses
resistant to healing.

B. Moxibustion with Moxa Stick

Moxibustion with moxa sticks refer to make the moxa sticklike, and
applied on certain parts. Moxa sticks are made in the following manner:
tightly 24 grams of soft, pure argyi wool with a sheet of soft, thin paper
(26cm by 20cm). roll it into a column approximately 1.5 inches in
diameter, and then wrap it soft, tough mulberry paper. A pure moxa
stick has thus been made after sealing each end with glue. Moxibustion
with moxa sticks includes two kinds: suspended and pressing
moxibustion.
1. Suspended Moxibustion (Xuan Qi Jiu)
This method is done by holding the moxa stick over the acupoint /
area during the treatment. Note: the end of the moxa stick should not
make contact with the skin. It is sub-devided into mild-warming,
sparrow-pecking and waving moxibustion.
a. Mild moxibustion (wen he jiu)
 One end of moxa stick is ignited and held over an acupoint / area.
The distance between the end of the stick and the skin should be
about 2 or 3 cm. the intention here is to bring warmth to the
treatment area, so the patient should not feel any burning
sensations, the practioner should place their index and middle
fingers on the side of the affected area to feel the heat, so that they
can determine and adjust the appropriate distance between the end
of the stick and the patients skin to avoid burning for patients in a
coma or who have delayed / impaired sensory perception.
b. Pecking moxibustion (que zhou jiu)
With this method, the distance between the ignited end of a moxa
stick and the patients skin is not fixed. Instead, as it is name
indicates, it is moved up and down over the point / area like a
picking bird.
c. Waving moxibustion (hui xuan jiu)
When using this method, though the end of moxa stick is kept 2 or
3 cm above the skin, it is moved back and forth circularly.
2. Pressing Moxibustion (shi an jiu)
This method of moxibustion is done by pressing the burning end of a
moxa stick, partitioned off by several layers of cloth or cotton paper,
on the acupoints to allow the heat to penetrate the skin and the muscle.
After the fire is extinguished, it should be ignited again and repeated.
It is useful for treating patients until they feel warmth in the abdomen,
with sweating, then the patients will be healed. Taiyi moxa stick and
thunder fire moxibustion is commonly used.
3. Warm-needle Moxibustion
Warm-needle moxibustion is actually a combination of acupuncture
and moxibustion. During the manipulation, after the arrival of qi,
while the needle is still retained in the point, cut a small section of
 moxa stick (about 2 cm long) on the needles handle, and then ignite
the moxa stick from its bottom. When the moxa stick burns out,
remove the ash and take out the needle. This method is used when
both retainin needles and moxibustion is indicates.
There are some common acupoints for moxibustion, such as:
1. Zusanli, four fingers below the bottom of the knee cap (patella), and one
finger width away from shinbone (tibia). The functionas are prevent the
disease and strengthening the body resistene, promote digestion, and
absorption, invigorating the spleen and reinforcing stomach function.
2. Shenque, at the center of the navel / umbilical. The functions are warming
yang and benefiting the qi, treating diarrhea, abdominal distension,
stomachache, and stroke.
3. Guanyuan, four fingers below the navel, on the medioventral line. This point
is good for dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, nocturnal emission,
diarrhea, stomachache. And any kind of diseases for men and women.
4. Zhongwan, four fingers below the navel / umbilical. The function is to
treating disease for digestive system.
5. Mingmen, located in the waist, on the median line, 2 sag under the lumbar
spine. To treating th diseases for men and women, unrinary incontinence,
frequent urination, impotence, premature ejaculation, leucorrhoea.
6. Sanyinjiao, four fingers / 3 inches straight tip of medial malleoulus, posterior
tibial department. The function are for uterine prolapse, dysmenorrhea,
irregular menstruation, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia.
When I have internship in hospital I met, so many patient use this kind of
manipulation but in this condition because the nurse and the doctor is busy, so they
use the box to help them hold the moxa stick or to prevent burn moxa to touch he
skin. And I asked the patients about their feeling after this treatment, and all of the
patients said that they felt so convenient, and make their body healthy, and this
treatment is also the support therapy for the modern treatment.
And the conclusion is although moxibustion looks like a very simple technique it
made your body warmth, when it put on the rght areas / acupuncture points, it will
have so many evidence.