The Healing Effects of Moxibustion in Acupuncture

Written By Jen Maecker

What is Moxa?

Moxibustion therapy, or “Moxa,” is a form of heat and infrared therapy used in an Acupuncture treatment. The medicinal herb, mugwort, Artemisia Vulgaris, is aged, dried, and prepared either as a moxa stick or loose Moxa. When applied to the body, Moxa is used to warm specific acupuncture points and areas of pain. 

Many conditions benefit from the use of moxibustion within an acupuncture treatment:

  •  pain

  • arthritis

  • digestive ailments

  • inflammatory diseases

  • headaches

  • fatigue

  • insomnia

  • depression

  • anxiety

  • gynecological concerns

  • and even turning a breeched baby!

History of Moxa

Moxa goes back centuries in Asia as well as in folk medicine. The name Artemisia comes from the Greek Goddess Artemis, a goddess of many attributes, including vegetation.  

Moxa has a plethora of healing properties. First, it has many active components and volatile oils. One particular component is borneol, a common ingredient in many topical pain-relieving remedies. Moxa also burns very slowly and has the biological effects of infrared wavelength light, which can penetrate deep tissues for cellular repair and healing.

How is Moxa used in an Acupuncture Treatment?

Moxa can be applied directly or indirectly to an area of the body.  

Direct Moxa is when a cone of loose Moxa is placed directly onto an acupuncture point until warm, then removed.

Indirect Moxa is when an Acupuncturist lights a moxa stick and warms the area or acupuncture point without making contact with the skin.

Needle Moxa is when the tip of an acupuncture needle is wrapped in Moxa and ignited until the desired effect occurs.

Liquid Moxa is a form of Moxa that can be applied topically for pain relief and to expedite the healing of bruises or trauma.

Benefits of Moxa

  • Warms the body to decrease pain and promote healing.

  • Increases blood circulation to expedite healing and alleviate pain.

  • Stimulates acupuncture points for a desired effect within a treatment plan.

  • Moves stagnation in an area to alleviate pain and promote healing.


Scholarly Articles on the Healing Properties of Moxa

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789413/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136359/

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2016/1057878/


If you are interested in learning more about Moxa in your acupuncture treatment, contact Dr. Jen.

Cheers to your health Sarasota!

Jen Maecker
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