How to Choose When to Use Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an alternative Chinese medicine that can be used in many applications and is becoming more well-known in the United States. Another common name of the treatment is Acumoxa, because it uses acupoints on the body.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn about Moxibustion. It applies heat from a burning bundle of tightly wound herbs, known as moxa, to targeted acupoints on the body. It is often used along with acupuncture. This technique is based on the Chinese belief that stimulating the body's acupoints allows the body to heal itself.

• 2

  Familiarize yourself with the herbs. Moxa is created by drying leaves from the mugwort or wormwood plants. The leaves are then formed into a cone, by rolling them into a cigar shape.

• 3

  Study the two styles of moxibustion. You can use indirect or direct moxibustion. Direct moxibustion places the cone directly on the skin, which often causes scarring and intense pain. This method is not used in the United States. Indirect moxibustion places the cone over an acupuncture needle and burns the cone or uses an electrical source to heat the needle.

• 4

  Be aware of the dangers of Moxibustion. Aside from the obvious danger of burning the skin, the oils in the wormwood can be toxic if internally ingested.