Moxaman

Types of Moxibustion: Stick- Suspended & Pressing Moxibustion

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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.

Mild moxibustion
Mild 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.

Bird pecking moxibustion
Bird pecking moxibustion

(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.

Circling moxibustion
Circling moxibustion

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.

Pressing moxibustion
Pressing moxibustion


Types of Moxibustion: Cone- Indirect Moxibustion

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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.

Ginger-separated moxibustion
Ginger-separated moxibustion

(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.

Onion + Salt moxibustion
Onion + Salt moxibustion

(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: Cone- Direct Moxibustion

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Moxibustion therapy is mainly divided according to the kind of tool that is used, e.g. moxa cone, moxa stick, moxa box, fume moxa, sunlight moxa, etc.

I. Moxa-cone moxibustion

Moxa cone is a conical body made of moxa, which is generally divided into three types: large, medium and small. Its operation can be divided into two types: direct and indirect moxibustion.

Moxa cones
Moxa cones

1. Direct moxibustion
Direct moxibustion, also called direct contact moxibustion, is a method where a lit moxa is put directly on the skin. This method is characterized by direct contact between moxa and the skin and strong heat. Direct moxibustion can be further divided into three types: scarless moxibustion, scar moxibustion and blister moxibustion.

(1) Scarless moxibustion: 
Place moxa directly on the skin at the acupoint, ignite the tip of the moxa; as the moxa burns down, heat sensation on the skin gradually increases. When the moxa stick burns to about 2/3, or when the patient’s skin underneath feels excessive heat, the moxa should be replaced immediately to avoid burning the skin. This method applies best to chronic debilitating diseases.

Direct Moxibustion
Direct Moxibustion

(2) Scarring moxibustion: 
Compared with scarless moxibustion, this method features moxa not to be removed from the skin until it is completely burned out. Scarring moxibustion is more intense and requires producing purulence to achieve best treatment result, so it is also called blistering moxibustion. During the operation, in order to reduce patient’s pain, the skin around the moxibustion area could be patted gently to reduce the patient’s tension. Conditions not suitable for scarring moxibustion include physical weakness, diabetes, skin diseases, and acupoints on the face and joints. This method works well on asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, epilepsy, ulcers and developmental disorders.

Scarring moxibustion
Scarring moxibustion

(3) Vesiculating moxibustion: 
Use small moxa cone for moxibustion; when moxa fire burns to the skin and the patient feels slight pain, it could either be suppressed immediately, or stay for 3 to 5 seconds more. A small piece of skin flush slightly larger than the moxa cone would appear, and accompanied by sweating; within 1 to 2 hours vesiculation would form. Do not break it, but let it be absorbed naturally. If the vesiculation is large, it could be pierced with a sterilized needle to let the liquid out, and then apply some gentian violet. This method is suitable for asthma, skin warts, dizziness, tuberculosis and so on.

Vesiculating moxibustion
Vesiculating moxibustion


What is moxibustion?

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Moxibustion is a type of TCM therapy, which is usually mentioned in the same breath with acupuncture. Moxibustion refers to a natural remedy that stimulates acupoints on the body surface by use of mild heat of burning wormwood, which further stimulates function of the viscera and meridians within human body through meridian conduction, and regulates operation of the body’s Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood.

By performing moxibustion on different acupoints, not only can it treat and prevent diseases but also strengthen the body.

After thousands of years’ practice, it has been proved that moxibustion bears certain irreplaceable and unique advantages, and become an important means of health maintainance and disease treatment. It could only achieve function of systematic therapy when the medicinal and warming effects of moxibustion are applied on acupoints of meridians.

The following painting was from the Song Dynasty of China, which was painted around 1100AD. It depicted scene of a physician performing moxibustion on a patient.

Moxibustion Painting from 1100 AD
Moxibustion Painting from 1100 AD

The benefits of moxibustion are really difficult to express by words, it’s magical efficacy can only be discovered by experiencing it in person.

How to take good care of the kidneys? (II)

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3. Diet regulation
Dietary regulation is mainly based on foods that nourish the kidneys, such as those of black color. 

Three foods are recommended here: black fungus, mulberry and black beans.

1) Black fungus:
Kidney tonification and detoxification. 

For people with kidney stone after lithotripsy, some doctors may advise them to eat more black fungus, which would help discharge the stones.

Contraindication: Black fungus could promote blood circulation, so patients with bleeding tendency should stay away from it. Since black fungus is rich in dietary fiber, people prone to diarrhea or of weak digestive function are not suitable for eating black fungus either.

Black fungus
Black fungus

2) Mulberry:
Kidney tonification, especially for the health of male reproductive system.

If man drank a little mulberry juice every day, it would improve vitality of the body and improve quality of sexual life. For infertile couples, if the male had symptoms of weak sperm, one could also eat more mulberry or drink more mulberry juice.

Contraindication: Women should be conservative, because mulberry is slightly cold in nature, one must eat less of it during menstruation.

Mulberry
Mulberry

3) Black bean:
According to “Compendium of Materia Medica”: regular eating of black beans would dispel all diseases. So black bean is not only good for kidneys, but also overall wellness of the body.

Contraindication: black beans soaked in vinegar tastes well, but may not be suitable for those allergic to plant proteins or of poor digestion.

Black bean
Black bean

How to take good care of the kidneys? (I)

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Kidney deficiency can also lead to uremia. Here we will discuss how to nurse kidney deficiency by nourishing and protecting kidney.

1. Moxibustion 
day 1: Zhongwan, Zusanli acupoint
day 2: Mingmen, Shenque acupoint
day 3: Shenyu, Guanyuan acupoint
day 4: Yaoyangguan, Qihai acupoint

Perform moxibustion circularly among the above acupoints, note that the acupoints need to be determined according to the specific symptoms and condition of the patient.

Moxibustion time:
– 15 minutes of suspended moxibustion for adults and
– 40 to 50 minutes for moxibustion apparatus.

2. Dredge the kidney channel
In addition to moxibustion of the acupoints, one could dredge kidney channel in the leg from the bottom to top (from the Yongquan to root of the thighs), which would and also help regulate kidney problems and restore Kidney Yang.

Method: Use the thumb to press the Yongquan acupoint, push upward from Rangu till root of the thigh; do it 3-5 times until skin turns slightly red.

Kidney channel
Kidney channel

3 types of pain that may be early signals of kidney diseases

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1.Low back pain
It is mentioned in TCM: “Waist is government of the kidney”. If kidney is not well, signs would be observed on the waist.

As uremia occurs, people usually feel low back pain; this is because the kidneys could not discharge toxins in a timely manner, which puts heavy burden on the body and kidneys. When the kidneys could no longer handle it, low back pain would happen.

Low back pain
Low back pain

2. Urinary pain
Urinary pain refers to the case where the urethra has a burning sensation when urinating. If a person urinated smoothly in the past and suddenly develop abnormalities such as dysuria, be alert as this may indicate kidney issues.

Human body would discharge toxins and wastes through the urine, and kidney is an important organ that disintegrate the toxins. At early stages of uremia, there may be pain when urinating because the kidneys has been compromised- the toxins are larger, and difficult to be discharged timely from the urine.

3. Headache
Impaired renal function could affect the whole body. Clinically, uremia patients often report headache, drowsiness, fatigue, etc. This is mainly due to influence of the toxins on brain cells to develop pathological changes, which may cause headache and other discomforts.

Modern people have also developed many bad habits that could cause kidney damages, such as staying up late, drinking, etc.

Headache
Headache

Life Saving Signs in Urine: Three Signals (II)

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2. Urinal foam
Many men are probably going to wonder isn’t it not normal to have bubbles in the urine? Yes if the urinal foam is easily dissipated and of limited amount. 

Unusual bubbles:
However, if there is a lot of bubbles in the urine which do not disappear for a long time, then be alerted as it may be the message shy kidney sends you through urine.

Kidney diseases could cause urine protein, which increases surface tension of the urine and forms smaller, difficult-to-dissipate bubbles.

If you were concerned, it is best to go to the hospital and conduct a routine urine check,  or 24-hour urine protein quantification, any abnormalities could reveal whether it is proteinuria.

Urinal bubbles
Urinal bubbles

3. Frequent nightly restroom visit 

If anyone has to get up repeatedly to urinate at night, please beware of kidney disease.

There are some exceptions thought- for children under the age of 7 who are not yet fully physically developed, elderly with degenerative changes, and pregnant women, physiological nocturia may be normal. But healthy adults generally do not have such issues.

Life Saving Signs in Urine: Three Signals (I)

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Human beings have two kidneys, and their functions are very powerful. They serve as filters in the body; each day they filter and clean about 200 liters of blood, and the filtered waste is discharged via the urine.

Kidneys
Kidneys

The kidneys are ‘introverts’ and not good at expressing themselves. Urine, however, acts like a “spokesperson” for the kidney. When the urine is abnormal, very likely it’s the kidney calling for help!

When kidney disease deteriorates to the advanced stage, uremia can occur. Uremic disease is a common clinical syndrome of various advanced kidney diseases and is the end stage of the development of chronic kidney failure, which could severely affect a patient’s physical health and quality of life, and has a high mortality rate.

Here we will impart two tricks to discern early signals of kidney disease:
1. Observe the urine;
2. Look out for three types of pain

Three signals revealed by urine

1) Urine color

1. Normal color:
Normal urine generally have clear appearance when water supply is sufficient; otherwise the color will become light yellow. Normal urine has a light ammonia smell, but it is nothing pungent. 

2. Abnormal colors:
Color of red, meat washing water, and brown could all be indicators of kidney disease. “Meat washing water color” can be literally understood as color of diluted blood after pork is washed .

3. Pseudo hematuria:
However, sometimes after eating foods of heavy pigment such as pitaya (aka the dragon fruit), beet, mulberry, red urine could also be observed. This is called “pseudo hematuria”, which is normal.

So if color of the urine changes significantly, one should think about what foods has been eaten lately, and see if there would be any improvement in the next few days.

Urine color comparison
Urine color comparison

4. How to distinguish between true and false hematuria?
Honestly it is hard to tell the difference. If still no significant change in urine was observed in a few days, it is best to go to the hospital for a urine test.

The test standard is whether there are red blood cells in the urine. For pseudo hematuria, urine test is normal and without red blood cells; if  caused by kidney disease, urine test will indicate a lot of red blood cells.

Red blood cells
Red blood cells

How to dispel moisture and lose weight?

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Here we recommend a few acupoints that could help dispel moisture and lose weight, please feel free to press them at home.

1. Zhongwan Acupoint
– CV 12 Acupuncture Point
– English Name: Central Venter

The Zhongwan acupoint is intersection of the viscera. The spleen and stomach interact with each other. They work together to neutralize excessive moisture within the body. Therefore, massaging Zhongwan acupoint can effectively invigorate the spleen, dispel cold and moisture, and protect the stomach. 

Zhongwan- CV 12 Acupoint- Central Venter
Zhongwan- CV 12 Acupoint- Central Venter

2. Fenglong Acupoint
– ST 40 Acupuncture Point
– English Name: Beautiful Bulge

TCM theory states that spleen is the source of phlegm, for various factors causing spleen and stomach disorder, stagnation of water and moisture, and the accumulation of phlegm, they can all be solved by massaging the Fenglong acupoint. Fenglong acupoint bears the function of dispelling moisture, and it can effectively remove the dampness turbidity when coordinated with the long-term massage of Zusanli (ST-36).

Fenglong acupoint- ST 40- Beautiful Bulge
Fenglong acupoint- ST 40- Beautiful Bulge

3. Xuehai acupoint
– SP 10 Acupuncture Point
– English Name: Sea of Blood

Xuehai acupoint belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, is an important acupuncture point for treating blood symptoms. Xuehai acupoint carries function as nourish blood and promote blood circulation, strengthen spleen and dispel dampness, dispel wind and arrest itching, and is an important acupoint for prevention of diseases. If massaging the Xuehai point for one minute every day, efficacy of dampness dispelling would be very good.

Xuehai Acupoint - SP 10 - English Name: Sea of Blood
Xuehai Acupoint – SP 10 – English Name: Sea of Blood