What is moxibustion? Uses, potential benefits and risks

Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that has increased in popularity globally. It is said to have benefits for arthritis pain, digestive problems, and breech presentation during pregnancy. However, many wonder, what exactly is moxibustion?

In this article, we’ll cover the facts about moxibustion, including how it works, its uses, and its purported benefits.

What is moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a type of heat therapy. It involves burning mugwort (Artemisia please or Common wormwood) on or above specific points on the body. This is thought to stimulate flow Che (pronounced “chee”), is the vital energy force found in every living being, according to traditional Chinese medicine theory.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that many common illnesses and diseases can be traced back to imbalances or disorders Che flow. Adequate quantities and proper handling of Che They are believed to be essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being, or harmony Yin and any inside the body.

Moxibustion is closely related to traditional Chinese medicine treatment AcupunctureWhich assumes that the human body contains about 2,000 points connected by an invisible network of paths, or meridians. Navigate these meridians Che And blood to all cells, tissues and organs in the body.

By applying heat to acupoints, moxibustion aims to release any blockages Che along meridians and restore flow. This in turn promotes healing.

How does moxibustion work?

A TCM practitioner may apply moxibustion directly or indirectly.

Direct moxibustion

Direct moxibustion involves applying dried mugwort leaves, crushed and shaped into a cone or stick called a moxa, to the target area (often an acupuncture point). The practitioner then ignites the moxa, allowing it to burn slowly until the skin is reddened and hot. The moxa is removed before it burns the patient’s skin.

This is known as non-scarring moxibustion. The heat provides a warming sensation deep within the skin, but does not cause any burns or scarring.

Conversely, during the process of cauterizing scars, healers will leave the moxa to burn until it dies. The skin may burn or ulcerate as a result, which may leave a scar after it heals.

Indirect moxibustion

Indirect moxibustion is the most common form in North America. It is considered safer, as the risk of burns or blisters is much lower.

In this type, the burning moxa does not come into contact with the skin. Instead, the practitioner places it close to the skin, about one to two inches above a specific area. Once the treatment area turns red and warm, the doctor removes the moxa.

Some practitioners will combine acupuncture therapy with moxibustion therapy by lighting the moxa on the tip of an acupuncture needle. The heat passes through the needle to the point and the surrounding area. Once the patient feels comfortable, the flame is extinguished and the needle is removed.

From a Western medical and scientific point of view, the therapeutic qualities of moxibustion may result from its thermal effects, radiative effects, and the pharmacological activity of moxa smoke.

Uses of moxibustion

Moxibustion has been used in China to treat and prevent diseases for more than 2,500 years. The earliest record of its medicinal use dates back to 581 BC Zhou Quana collection of pre-Qin dynasty narrative commentaries.

Its use in treating complex diseases is also documented in the Mawangdui Silk Texts, which were sealed in a Han dynasty tomb in 168 BC.

An analysis of scientific papers published between 1954 and 2007 in China indicates that moxibustion can be used to treat 364 types of diseases.

Some of these include:

• Breech presentation (in pregnancy)
• Diarrhea
• Colitis
• incontinence
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
• Soft tissue injury
• Heel pain
• asthma
• Urinary retention
• Herpes zoster

However, current research suggests that its effectiveness is limited to a small fraction of these cases.

Potential benefits of moxibustion

Researchers have conducted a number of studies on the effectiveness of moxibustion in treating various conditions. Some results were positive, while others were inconclusive.

Based on preliminary research, the following conditions appear to respond well to alternative treatment.

arthritis

Moxibustion may benefit patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Degenerative joint disease is common in older adults, and the resulting pain is known to reduce patients’ quality of life.

According to two recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, moxibustion can help relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis such as pain.

A 2017 review of studies concluded that moxibustion is effective for reducing pain and managing symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis when compared with placebo and oral drug therapy.

In a 2016 review, results showed that moxibustion was “likely” to treat symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are common examples. Symptoms may include diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and fever.

In a 2013 review of randomized controlled trials, researchers found that acupuncture and moxibustion were superior to oral sulfasalazine, an ulcerative colitis medication, in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Older reviews reached similar conclusions, but due to the quality of the studies reviewed (small sample sizes, lack of blinding, etc.) scientists decided that the evidence was inconclusive. High-quality studies are needed to confirm the use of moxibustion for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis progresses with loss of bone mass and bone mineral density. These decreases can increase the risk of fractures.

There is some evidence to suggest that combining moxibustion and acupuncture may improve bone mineral density and help manage pain from acute fractures.

A 2020 review of current research found “high-quality evidence” for increasing bone mineral density, while evidence for reducing pain was considered “low-moderate quality.”

Back view

Promising results have been seen in the area of ​​breech presentation. This occurs when the baby’s feet or buttocks are placed first in the mother’s uterus in late pregnancy. It can cause complications for the baby and mother during childbirth.

Researchers in a 2009 review of studies comparing moxibustion to correct breech presentation with other methods reported that moxibustion at acupuncture point BL67, or urinary bladder 67, in particular, has been shown to have positive effects for correcting the problem.

A 2010 evaluation of systematic reviews of moxibustion in multiple conditions noted that “the sum of the best evidence to date suggests that moxibustion is effective in breech presentation.”

However, a review of a later study, published in the journal Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health In 2018, he acknowledged the supporting evidence but stressed the need for further investigation into the matter.

Moxibustion risks and precautions

Moxibustion is an ancient Chinese therapy that may be useful as part of a complementary and integrated approach to medical treatment. But there are risks, as well as precautions that must be taken to avoid infection.

Patients may suffer from unintentional burns during moxibustion therapy. These can range from minor to severe, and are often the result of self-medication. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist or traditional Chinese medicine provider.

If performing moxibustion on yourself (under your doctor’s guidance), indirect moxibustion is highly recommended.

There have also been reports of uterine contractions, fetal distress, and premature labor in pregnant women.

Since mugwort is an herb, there is a risk of an allergic reaction. Symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat and eyes, rash, or asthma. Those who are allergic to ragweed or any other plants in Asterism The family is likely to experience a reaction to mugwort.

The smoke from burning moxa can also be a source of irritation, causing a dry cough and/or sore throat. Additionally, its smell has been compared to marijuana smoke, which may be unpleasant to some.

Other reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, basal cell carcinoma, and hyperpigmentation (dark patches or patches of skin).