Abstract
Moxibustion is the practice of burning dried moxa (Artemisia vulgaris), arranged in small cone-shaped piles, over acupuncture points. Generally, moxibustion is applied to patients with the use of nonmoxa or moxa sticks, and it means Moxa can be applied either directly or indirectly.
Direct moxibustion is defined as application of moxa sticks onto or acupoints on the body surface, while indirect moxibustion is the application of herbs (mugwort, garlic, ginger, etc.) between moxa sticks and the acupoints by burning herbal materials on the body surface, factors such as temperature, smoke and herbs are likely to be involved in the possible mechanisms by which moxibustion may work. Moxibustion can be applied over acupuncture needles either with or without scarring.In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of mugwort is put on an acupuncture point and burned.
This direct moxibustion is further divided into scarring and non-scarring. With scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on an acupuncture point and burns until it causes blisters and scarring.With non-scarring moxibustion, the burning moxa is removed before it burns the skin. Indirect moxibustion is a more popular form of since there is a lower risk of pain or burning.
The moxibustion has a dual effect of tonification and purgation in TCM theories, which are based on two aspects: the actions of the meridian system and the roles of moxa and fire.
U. A. K. Jayasinghe,
K. L. G. Amaranayake,
S. S. Hettige,
P. K. C. D. Ranaweera.
dramila707@gmail.com
Open International University for Complementary Medicines,
No : 37, Beach Road,
Mount Lavinia
Keywords : Moxibustion, TCM, Traditional, Medication