December 2019 – Page 3 – TCM & Moxibustion

II. Moxa Stick moxibustion

Moxa stick moxibustion, also known as moxa roll moxibustion, is a method of wrapping cylindrical moxa rolls by paper, igniting on one end, and apply at acupoints. Moxa stick moxibustion can be divided into two types: suspended moxibustion and pressing moxibustion.

1.Suspended Moxibustion
Suspended moxibustion is a type of moxibustion in which a lit moxa stick is hung over a moxibustion site. Depending on the specific operation method, suspended moxibustion can be further divided into three types: mild moxibustion, bird-pecking moxibustion and circling moxibustion.

(1) Mild moxibustion:
Maintain certain distance between acupoints and moxa, until patient feels warm yet without burning sensation. Mild moxibustion features moderate heat, therefore less irritation to the body. It is also the most commonly used method of moxibustion.

(2) Bird-pecking moxibustion:
The burning end of a moxa stick is aligned with the acupoint, rise and fall like the pecking move of a bird. The warming stimulus of the bird pecking moxibustion is more intense. When it is performed, beware not to burn the skin as the lighting moxa stick descend.

(3) Circling moxibustion:
The burning end of moxa stick is at a certain height above the acupoint, with the acupoint being the center, the moxibustion is performed in a roundabout or back and forth movement. This method can create warm stimulation to a wide range around the acupoint.

Suspended moxibustion can warm the meridians, disperse cold and dispel evil spirits, and is mainly applicable to diseases where focus of infection is shallow and restricted, such as wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, neuroparalysis, and pediatric disorders, etc.

2.Pressing Moxibustion
After igniting moxa stick, pad skin on the acupoint with a layer of paper or cloth, and press the lit stick to acupoint or the affected area. First put 10 layers of cotton paper or 5-7 layers of cotton cloth on the moxibustion site, then place lit moxa onto the paper or cloth and press firmly against it; stay for 1 to 2 seconds. If the moxa stick goes out, it needs to be relit and perform again. Repeat this procedure for about 10 times.

Similarly, one could wrap 7 layers of cotton cloth around the burning end of moxa stick, and press against acupoint or the affected area. Pressing moxibustion is mainly suitable to diseases where focus of infection is relatively deep, such as wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, flaccid paralysis and deficiency cold syndrome.

I. Moxa-cone moxibustion

2. Indirect Moxibustion
Indirect moxibustion is also called sandwiched moxibustion- before performing moxibustion, put ginger, garlic, salt, etc. on the skin at the acupoint, and then put moxa on top of it. The heat of indirect moxibustion is milder compared to direct moxibustion. Depending on the padding material and indication, it can be divided into the following categories:

(1) Ginger moxibustion (Ginger separated moxibustion):
Cut ginger into pieces of 1-2 mm in thickness, place them on acupoints, and ignite moxa cone on them. One could use a needle to puncture several small holes in the ginger slice to facilitate downward penetration of the heat. When patient feels a strong burning sensation on the skin, the moxa cone could be removed and substitute with another cone. Thickness of ginger slices can be adjusted appropriately according to strength of heat. Ginger moxibustion is mainly used to treat debilitating gastrointestinal diseases, such as indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal neuralgia, chronic arthritis, etc.

(2) Garlic moxibustion (Garlic-separated moxibustion):
Garlic slices with a thickness of about 1 mm are placed on the skin, and subsequent operations are the same as ginger-separated moxibustion. This method has a significant effect on early stages of tuberculosis, non-purulent edema, insect bite, etc.

(3) Salt moxibustion (Salt-separated moxibustion):
Fill the umbilical opening with table salt, put moxa cone on the salt and perform moxibustion until sweat is out, body temperature rises, and the symptoms improve. This method is mainly suitable for treatment of prostration, deficiency and vomiting, etc.

(4) Onion moxibustion:
Cut green Chinese onion stalk into 3 to 4 mm slices, or mash onion stalk into paste, and apply it on the umbilicus and its surrounding, or directly on the affected area, and place moxa on top of it. Usually upon perform moxibustion of 5-7 cones, till patient feels warm and comfortable, but not burning pain. Onion moxibustion is suitable for symptoms such as collapse, abdominal pain, anuresis, hernia, mastitis, etc.

(5) Pepper moxibustion:
Take proper amount of white pepper powder, mix with flour and water to make a coin-sized cake which sags in the center; fill with a suitable amount of powdered medicine (such as cloves, cinnamon, musk, etc.) till the center is even with the perimeter. Then place moxa cone on top and perform moxibustion. Each time do 5 to 7 cones till patient feels warm and comfortable. This method is mainly suitable for vomiting caused by cold stomach, abdominal pain and diarrhea, wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, local numbness, etc.

(6) Aconite/monkshood moxibustion:
Soak cooked aconite/monkshood thoroughly in water, cut into slices of thickness of 3 to 5 mm, puncture small holes with a needle in the middle, place it at corresponding acupoints, and place moxa on the top. One can also cut the aconite/monkshood into small pieces, grind them, and use rice wine to make cake with size of a nickle and thickness of 4 mm, and place it on the acupoints for moxibustion. This method has a significant effect on various Yang deficiency disorders, such as impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, chronic collapse of sores and some Yin deficiency syndromes.

Other items used for moxibustion include chives, castor bean, loess, dried orange peel, rhizoma atractylodis, euphorbia kansui, and Chinese honeylocust fruit.

Types of Moxibustion: Stick- Suspended & Pressing Moxibustion

Types of Moxibustion: Cone- Indirect Moxibustion