Moxibustion methods
Author: Dr. Lee
Clicks:
Time: 2010/11/20 16:35:23
Moxibustion is a therapy used to treat and prevent diseases by applying burning moxa to stimulate the human body. The material used for moxibustion is mainly Chinese mugwort leaf which is fragrant and easy to be ignited. It is processed into mugwort wool for clinical use.
Moxibustion with moxa cone
Moxa cone is a cone-shaped mugwort wool, the size of which varies from the size of wheat grain to the size of a Chinese date (see Fig. 124). The measurement unit of moxibustion is called "Zhuang". The burning out of one moxa cone is called one Zhuang. The moxa cone is placed on the acupoint selected in performing moxibustion. Moxibustion with moxa cones is either direct or indirect, depending on whether there is something between the moxa cone and the skin.
Direct moxibustion
Direct moxibustion means that the moxa cone is placed directly on the acupeint and ignited. Prior to moxibustion, some garlic juice or vaseline can be applied to the site in order to increase the adhesion of the moxa cone to the skin. This type of moxibustion is either scarring or non-scarring according to the degree of burning over the skin.
Scarring moxibustion: When the moxa cone completely burns out, it is replaced by a new one. This procedure continues until blisters are formed. About one week later after moxibustion, suppuration is formed at the local region. And about 5 - 6 weeks later, the wound heals automatically, the scab exfoliates and scar is formed. It is often used to treat certain chronic diseases, such as asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Moxibustion with warmed needles
Moxibustion with warmed needle is a method of acupuncture combined with moxibustion. During the retention of the needle, the needle handle is wrapped with some moxa or coated with one section of a moxa roll about 2 cm in length to be burned. The needle is withdrawn after the moxa completely burns out and the ash is cleared. Moxibustion with warmed needle can be used to treat various common diseases.
Cautions
Direct moxibustion is inadvisable to perform on the face, five sense organs, or the regions with large vessels. The abdominal region and lumbosacral region of the gravida should not be moxibusted. For the patients with numbness of limbs or bradyesthesia, moxibustion should be moderate lest scald be caused.
